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F. T. TOWNSEND, 

AT THE AGE OF 76, MARCH 5, 1905 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

OF 

Francis Torrey Townsend, 

AND 

GENEALOGY 
OF THE TOWNSENDS. 



cummings the printer, 
White River Junction, Vt. 
1905- 



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THE TOWNSENDS. 



CHAPTER I. 

MH E N a small boy I remember hearing my 
teacher say to his oldest class in school: 
"Young men, your life is before you, now make your 
mark in the world." 

This leads me to ask myself, ' ' What kind of a mark 
have I made ? " I fear that in writing my Autobiography 
the reader will see that the mark I have made is very 
dim, so much so that but few have seen it. The mark 
is made and cannot be changed. It is said that some 
men make renown by their wit, but I have failed for want 
of stock. 

To begin with I think it best to go back and give my 
pedigree, by giving the Townsend Genealogy which I 
have secured during the past six or eight years. The 
Townsend families of England and America are of mixed 
stock of Saxon and Norman origin and of great antiquity 
in the county of Norfolk, England. Walter Atte Town- 
send, son of Sir Lodovic De Townsend, a Norman Noble- 
man whom Collins in his Peerage of England, puts it the 
head of this family, flourished soon after the Conquest. 

The Townsends had a large tract of land granted them 
by William the Conquerer, 



The above dates back to 1066 where the name orig- 
inated from Latin names meaning Towns end. You find 
them named all along in England as holding high offices 
under the English Crown close to the Kings, such as 
belonging to the Priva Councel, and officers in the Eng- 
lish Army. Some were raised to the Peerage. Sir 
Charles Townsend was minister to George the Third and 
was one of England's most powerful orators. All through 
the History of England you find their names among the 
most prominent of the officials and literary men from 
1066 to 1635 when three brothers came to America. 
Among them was my great, great, great grandfather, 
Thomas Townsend, whose family records follow. 

Here is where our records commence in America at 
Lynn, Mass. The figure before names denote the rmm- 
ber of the generation in America, b stands for births, 
m for marriage, and d for death. 

I. THOMAS TOWNSEND, 

son of Henry, was b in Norfolk County, England, and 
moved to London, and from there to Lynn, Mass. in 
1635, near to the Iron works. He was b Jan. 8, 1594, 
and d Dec. 22, 1^77. Was m to Mary (probably a sis- 
ter to Annie, wife of John Newgate, a merchant in Bos- 
ton, as he was called brother-in-law. ) She died Feb. 28, 
1692. 

They had the following named children: Thomas, b 
1637; Samuel, b 1638; 2 John, b 1640; Andrew, b 1642; 
Elizabeth, b 1644. Some of their descendants remain 
in Lynn at this day, others were among the first settlers 
on Long Island. 



In going back we find that Henry Townsend was the 
son of Thomas, who was the son of Sir Robert, who was 
the son of Sir Roger Townsend, and so on down to 1066. 

In the number of generations given is, in the direct 
line of the branch that I belong to 

2. JOHN TOWNSEND, 

son of Thomas, was b in Lynn, Mass. in 1640; d Dec. 4, 
1726. He m for his first wife Sarah Pearson, Mar. 27, 
1668. She d July 9, 1689. Their children were George, 
who first m Rebecca Cowdry, 2nd m Elizabeth Crane: 
Sarah, b Sep. 4, 1673, m Stephen Weston: John, b Mar. 
17, 1675, d Jan. 1757: Mary, b Sep. 2, 1677, d July 6, 
1717: Hannah, b Feb. 11, i68o: Elizabeth, b Nov. 9, 
1682, m Jonathan Nichols, Apr. 11, 1753: Noah, b Aug. 
30, 1686, d Dec. 15, 1713: Ebenezer, d July 3, 1689. 
For second wife he married Mehitable Brown Apr. 23, 
1690. She d July 1735. Their children: Thomas, b 
Oct. 7, 1692, d June i, 1716: Mehitable, b Apr. 28, 
1695, d 1695: Martha, b Aug. 14, 1697, d May 27, 1729. 



3 Daniel, b Apr. i, 1700, d Oct. 10, 1761. He m 
Lydia Sawyer Oct. 18, 1726. She d Apr. 30, 1749. 
They were m by Rev. Daniel Putnam of Reading, Mass. 
Their children : Lydia, b Aug. 24, 1728; John, b July 14, 
1731; Mehitable, b June 10, 1734. 

4 Thomas, b Aug. 23, 1736, d July 27, 1814; Daniel, 
b Dec. 26, 1738, killed at the battle of Lexington, Mass. 



Apr. 19, 1775; Dorcas, b Sep. 18, 1741; Jacob, b May 
6, 1744, d June 20, 1749; Martha, b Apr. 10, 1746, d 
June 18, 1749; Betsey, b Mar. 30, 1749. 

4. THOMAS TOWNSEND, 

son of Daniel, b Aug. 23, 1736, d July 27, 1814. He 
m Susanna Green, she died Feb. 19, 1813. Their chil- 
dren: Thomas, b Aug. 2, 1763, d Aug. 19, 1783; Susan- 
na, b June 8, 1765, m Elisha Bigelow, she d Mar. 10, 1845: 
Dorcas, b May 29, 1868, m Wm. Hayward, she d June 8, 
1853; Mehitable, b Oct. 12, 1770, m Nicholas Brown, she 
d Aug. 12, 1819; Aaron, b May 16, 1773, d Apr. 17, 
1846; Sarah, b Jan. 21, 1776, d Aug. 21, 1778; Anna, b 
June 8, 1778, d Oct. 14, 1865. 

5 William, my father, b Sep. 8, 1780, d Dec. 19, 1865; 
Thomas, b Dec. 15, 1783, d Apr. 4, 1861. The church 
at Lynn, Mass. shows the dates of the baptism of the 
above family. Thomas, Senior, Aug. 29, 1736; Thomas, 
Jr., ist, Nov. 6, 1763; Dorcas, June 5, 1768; Mehitable, 
Oct. 14,1770; Aaron, May 23, 1773; Anna, June 14, 1778; 
Sarah, Mar. 17, 1776; William, Sep. 20, 1780; Thomas, 
Jr., 2nd, Dec. 21, 1783. 

Aaron, son of Thomas Townsend, for first wife m 
Lydia Swain, by whom he had children as follows, and 
who they married: Almond, m Elvira Butler; Louisa, m 
Amasa Parker; James Swain, m Elvira White; Mary, m 
Wm. Smith, who raised a large family in Arkansas; Otis 
Aaron, m Lucia Cady; Caroline A., m Wm. White, in 



7 

Tennessee. After the death of her husband she m his 
brother. She sent one son into the Union Army, who 
is now living in Florida. Aaron Townsend for his sec- 
ond wife m Mrs. Mary Buck, for third wife he m Mrs. 
Betsey Stone. 

Almond, son of Aaron Townsend, had the following 
named children; Charles, d at Rutland, Vt. ; Eugene, d 
at Brattieboro, Vt. ; James A. lives at Ottawa, 111. at this 
writing, 1905, had four children, Mary, Myra, Charles, 
and Waldo, the latter is deceased; Henry H. lives at 
Ottawa, 111., and has three daughters; George W. lives 
at Ottawa, 111., has no children; Carrie, d at Bridgewater, 
Vt. ; and John lives at the latter place and has one son, 
Frederick, who is married and has one son. 

Anna, daughter of Thomas Townsend, m Wm. L. 
Hawkins, a great musician and school teacher, and held 
town offices of all kinds and was postmaster for many 
years at Reading, Vt. Their children were: Lewis, b 
June 23,1798, d Apr. 29,1875; Wm. A., b May 24,1800; 
d July 7, 1869; Alfred, b Sep. 30, 1803, d Jan. 31, 1885; 
Isabella, b Feb. 23, 1806, d Sep. 14, 1825; Ferdinand, 
b Feb. 14,1808, d Dec. 26,1893; Horatio, b Mar. 3,1810, 
d Mar.31,1815; JosiahQ, bMar. 14, 1812, d June 18,1882. 

Carlos, son of Lewis Hawkins, is a noted musician and 
resides at Reading, Vt. ; is a farmer, has a sawmill and 
manufactures rakes; is town clerk and has been for 15 
years; his son, Don C. , and grandson, Harland, are great 
musicians and the trio make quite a band by themselves. 



8 

Thomas, Jr., 2nd, son of Thomas Townsend, m Philin- 
da Beckworth. Their children were Daniel, Ann, Lewis 
S. and Rufus. The latter' s widow and daughter, Mrs. 
Abbie Chamberlain, and son, Stephen, reside at Wood- 
stock, Vt. Thomas' children are all dead except Lewis 
S., who resides at Wilton Junction, Iowa, has one son, 
Henry, who is married and has two sons. 

Simeon Gould was my great grandfather on my moth- 
er's side. He was b Aug. 17, 1733, d Jan. 15, 1827, 
and m Elizabeth Pike June 12, 1760. She was b Dec. 
9, 1734, d Dec. 20, 1778. Their children were, Simeon 
Jr., b Apr. 17, 1761, d July 21, 1816; John, b Apr. 23, 
1763; Sally, my grandmother, b Oct. 3, 1765, d Dec. 27, 
1838; Betsey, b Jan. 15, 1768, d Feb. 5, 1847; Margaret, 
b June 18,1770, d June 4,1848; Ambrose, b Apr. 8, 1772, 
d Apr. 10, 1842; Polly, b July 28, 1774, d July 11, 1843, 

Noah Bigelow, my grandfather, was b Feb. 7, 1759, 
d May 20, 1833. He m Sally Gould Feb. 25, 1788. 
She was b Oct. 3, 1765, d Dec. 27, 1838. Children as 
follows: Sally, b May 30, 1789, d Nov. 4, 1874, she m 
John Carey, he d Nov. 11, 1851; Betsey, b Dec. 8, 1791, 
d Oct. 2, 1863; Hannah Gould, my mother, b Aug. 25, 
1794, d Feb. 26, 1884; Noah, Jr., b Jan. 28, 1797, d May 
29, 1 813; Laura, b Nov. 9, 1799, d Nov. 12,1799; Sophia^ 
b Apr. 25, 1 801, d Oct. 19, 1853, she m Amasa Watkins, 
had no children; he was b June 13, 1793, d July 7, 1876. 
Hannah Gould, m Wm. Townsend, my father. Family 
record to be given later, as I wish to insert some of the 



Genealogy of the ancestry of my first wife, also more of 
the Townsends in the early days with many church rec- 
ords, and Town Clerk's books. 

Deacon Enos Stebbins, b 1741, d Apr. 12, 1798, m 
Miss Mary, (name and date not found.) They were 
grandparents of Charlotte Stebbins, whom I married for 
my first wife. Their children were as follows : Elanor, b 
May 16, 1764, d Aug. 8, 1770; Jonathan, b Nov. 1,1765; 
Bulah, b Sep. 24, 1767, d Aug. 22. 1776; Chloe, b May 

7, 1769; Byram, b Mar. 5, 177 1; Brainerd, b Feb. 25, 
1773, d Aug. II, 1838; Bliss, b Jan. 20, 1775, d Aug. 
19, 1776; Infant, b Aug. 24, 1776, d Sep. 8, 1776; Bliss, 
b Dec. 12,1778; Elanor, b Dec. 24, 1779; Enos and Mary, 
b Aug. I, 1781; Bula, b Dec. 23, 1783; Seth, b Oct. 25, 
1785, d Mar. 27, 1869. 

Seth Stebbins, son of Enos and Mary, b Oct. 25, 1785, 
at East Hartford, Conn., and moved to Vermont when 
about six years of age, d at Clay, Iowa, Mar. 27, 1869, 
m to Jemima Hutchinson, Dec. i, 1S14. She was daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Hannah B. Hutchinson, b Apr, 15, 
1788, d Sep. 10, 1862, at Clay, Iowa. Their children: 
Hannah A., b Apr. 27, 1817, d Jan. 24, 1843; Edward 
S. , b Jan. 17, 1819, d Jan, 28, 1899; George H., b June 

8, 1821, d June 16, 1863; Emily C, b June 12, 1823, d 
Apr. 8, i860; Charlotte, b Apr. 22, 1825, d Apr. i, 1874: 
Levi H., b Mar. 11,1828, livingin 1905 at College Springs 
Iowa; Horace, b June 2, 1830, d June 20, 1830; Mary, 
b July 14, 1832, d Oct. 14, 1846. 



lO 



Edward S. m Harriett Goddard. 
George H. m Caroline A. Knovvlton, Dec. 13, 1848. 
Emily C. m V. P. Townsend, Mar. 17, 1857. 
Charlotte m Francis T. Townsend, Aug. 3, 1852. 
Levi H. m Agnese Woodmancy, Mar. 11, 1857. 

• 

The Genealogy of the Hutchinsons has been traced in 
England from 1282 to 1636, from last date named to 1900 
in this country. The first record of any Hutchinson was 
Brainard Hutchinson at Cowlam, England. Samuel 
Hutchinson, the 14th generation from Brainard, was b 
Sep. 6, 1757, at Windham, Conn., d Sep. 30, 1839, at 
Norwich, Vt. , where he moved to in 1765. He m Han- 
nah Burr, Aug. 16, 1779. She was b Mar. 5, 1760, d 
Nov. II, 1826. They were the grandparents of Char- 
lotte Stebbins on her mother's side, who was my first 
wife. Their children as follows: Sally, b July 14, 1780, 
d Oct. 27, i860; Ira, b June 11, 1782, d Jan. 29, 1806; 
Levi, b Mar. 21, 1784, d July 15, 1797; Samuel, b Apr. 
II, 1786, d Feb. 13, 1845; Jemima, b Apr. 15, 1788, d 
Sep. 10, 1862, she was the mother of my first wife, Char- 
lotte Stebbins; Perley, b Apr. 31, 1790, d Apr. 24, 1872: 
Eunice, b Dec. 18, 1791, d May 4, 1880; Timothy, b 
Sep. 8, 1793, d Apr, 2, 1880; Betsey, b Feb. 11, 1795, 
d Nov. 26, 1867; Levi, b Oct. 28, 1797, d July, 1879; 
Elisha, b Jan. 14, 1800, d Jan. 22, 1800; Emma, b Feb. 
15, 1801, d Mar. 13, 1843; Hannah, b June 21, 1804, d 
Oct. 29, 1824; Austin, b June 30, 1807, d Mar. 28, 1843. 



II 
DANIEL TOWNSEND, 

my great grandfather, was chosen Deacon of the Church 
at Lynn, Mass., Oct. i6, 1738. He was b Apr. 1,1700, 
d Oct. 10, 1761, with bloody purgings and fever. His 
daughter, Lydia, m Charles Mason of Lynn, Mass. He 
was in the old French War, and d at Half Moon, north 
of Albany, N. Y. , July 26, 1756. They had a daughter, 
Lydia, who m Deacon Nathaniel Pratt, June ro, 1773, 
and their daughter, Anna, m Luther Carleton, late of 
Reading, Vt. , who left two children, Emma L and Levi 
W. , who reside at Woodstock, Vt. , at this date 1905. 

The early church records of Lynn, Mass. show the 
following: Lydia Mason was taken into the church Oct. 
3, 1756; Daniel Townsend, Jr. and his wife Zerviah were 
taken into the church June 30, 1771. He was killed at 
the battle of Lexington, Apr. 19, 1775. His widow d 
Oct. 19, 1775, in the 32nd year of her age. One of the 
early pastors of the church was Rev. Nathaniel Sparhawk, 
ordained in 1720. Daniel Townsend Senior's daughter 
Lydia was baptized Aug. 25, 1728 and Mehitable, June 
30, 1734. My grandfather Thomas Townsend and wife 
were taken into the church Oct. 30, 1763. Born in Lynn, 
John and Daniel 3rd, sons of Daniel Jr., were baptized 
July 7, 1 77 1, also his son Jacob Townsend was baptized 
Aug. 4, 1 77 1, and Zerviah Aug. 29, 1773. Jacob Town- 
send m Nancy Cox, Dec. 19, 181 5; Daniel 3rd m Betsey 
Hart Apr. 21, 1816. 

The Town Clerk's books at Lynn, Mass., show as fol- 
lows: Feb. 12, 1749, Deacon John Bancroft paid to Deacon 



12 



Daniel Townsend the sum of loL. 2s. 6d. (this was prob- 
ably old Tenor money, then at great discount) which the 
church voted to him upon the account of their being in 
debt to him for providing for the Lord's table. 

My grandfather, Thomas Townsend, was born in Lynn, 
Mass., in 1735. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War and a participant in the battle of Lexington and 
Concord, Mass., on Apr. 19, 1775. In this battle two 
of his brothers were with him. Daniel was killed. There 
was a squad of minute men in a log house shooting at the 
British; they soon saw by the movement of the enemy 
that the house was to be surrounded; then they all re- 
treated a short distance to the timber, except Daniel 
who remained to make a few more shots: by the time he 
left the house the enemy were so near that they gave him 
a cross fire from two directions. Later when his body 
was found there were 40 ball holes in his clothes. Today 
shows the following inscription on his monument at Lynn, 
Mass. : 

" Lie, Valient Townsend, in the peaceful shades; we trust, 

Immortal honors mingle with thy dust. 

What though thy body struggled in its gore, 

So did thy Saviour's body long before; 

And as he raised His own by power divine 

So the same power shall also quicken thine, 

And in eternal glory mayest thou shine." 



13 



CHAPTER n. 



5. WILLIAM TOWNSEND (my father.) 

was the son of Thomas Townsend, was b Sep. 8, 1780, 
d Dec. 19, 1865. For his first wife he m Susannah Smith 
Jan. 8, 1806. She was b May 13, 1783, d Apr. 9, 1820. 
Their children as follows: Elmer, b Mar. 2, 1807, d Apr. 
13, 1871 ; Orson, b May 6, 1808, d Aug. 24, 1865; Alfred 
b Jan. 13, 1810, d Mar. 10, 1871; Albert, b Jan. 13, 1810, 
d Apr. 24, 1845; Aurelia, b Sep. 30, 181 1, d July 5,1891; 
Susan, b Mar. 20, 1813. d Oct. 19, 1879; William Smith, 
b Oct. 16, 1814, d Sep. 9, 1864; Edwin, b Jan. 14,1816, 
d July 24, 1816; Dennis, b May 8, 1817, d Feb. 21,1874; 
Adin, b Apr. 16, 1819, d June 19, 1823. 

5, William Townsend for his second wife m Hannah 
Gould Bigelow May 21, 1820. 

Their children as follows: Eliza, b July 27, living in 
1905 at Felchville, Vt. ; Infant daughter, b Dec. 24, 1822; 
d Dec. 25, 1822; Frederick Van Alstyne b Apr. 9, 1824, 
d July 29, 1893; Isabella, b Feb. 26,1827, d Apr. 2, 1895; 
Francis Torrey, b Mar. 5, 1829, now living at Clay, Iowa, 
1905; Van Buren, b Jan. 4, 1831, d Oct. 30, 1898. 
Velette P., b Apr. 18, 1832, d Dec. 11, 1903; Marquis, 
Derelius, b Oct. 23, 1835, now living at Columbus, Ohio, 

^905- 

My father's children belong to the 6th generation in 

this country, and all born in Reading, Vt. I will now 



14 

give the family record of my brothers and sisters, but 
they are not all complete. 

6. ELMER TOWNSEND, 

son of William, b Mar. 2, 1807, and d Apr. 13, 1871, 
at Boston, Mass., where he went when about 19 years of 
age. He was educated in the common district school of 
his youthful days. Soon after arriving in Boston he 
secured a position as clerk in a Mr. Forbush's wholesale 
boot, shoe and leather store. It was not long before he 
was promoted, for Mr. Forbush saw his worth, for he 
was honest, energetic, and capable. After business hours 
he would start out and drum up orders to hand into the 
house the next morning as a surprise to them. In course 
of time he became one of the firm, and not many years 
before he bought the whole interest in the business, and 
conducted it in his own name. 

He was of an inventive mind, and by the assistance of 
an inventor that he hired they invented a sewing machine 
to sew leather with a waxed thread on which he secured 
a patent in this country, Germany, England, and France, 
also invented many other machines that are used in the 
shoe manufactory. He accumulated a large estate for 
those days. It was said that he was the best wholesale 
auctioneer in Boston. He married Wealthy Ann Beecher 
Nov. 21, 1833. She was b date unknown, d Dec. 21, 
1878. Their children as follows: Elizabeth, date of birth 
unknown, d May 5, 1837; Elizabeth Mary, b Mar. 9, 
1837, d young. Henry Elmer, b Dec. 29, 1841, d July 
14, 1891; Helen Cordelia, b July 9, 1849, living in 1905; 
Benjamin Beecher, b Dec. 6, 1847, living in 1905. 



15 

7 Henry Elmer, son of Elmer Townsend, b Dec. 29, 
1841, d July 14, 1891. He m Emilie W. Kaupe Apr. 
II, 1867. She was b Mar, 10, 1846, in Crefeld Rheinesh, 
Prussia and now lives at Boston, Mass. Their children 
as follows: Robert Elmer, b Feb. 7, 1868; Fritz Edward, 
b Aug. 15, 1869, d May 14, 1898; Lilian Henrietta, b 
June 17, 1873. 

8 Robert Elmer, son of Henry E. Townsend, b Feb. 
7, 1868, living in Boston, m Josephine Wheildon Apr. 
16, 1 89 1. She was born June 13, 1870. They have one 
son, Robert Elmer Jr. b Dec. 11, 1892. 

8 Lilian Henrietta, daughter of Henry E. Townsend, 
b June 17,1873, m Frederick Elmer Snow Apr. 11,1896. 
Their children, twins, boy and girl, stillborn, Sep. 1896 
William Townsend, b Sep. 19, 1897; Kitchel, b June 29, 
1899. 

7 Helen Cordelia, daughter of Elmer Townsend, b 
July 9, 1849, m Theodore Frelinghyson Breck Apr. i8, 
1872. He wash July 29, 1844, d June 25, 1904. Their 
children: Helen Townsend, b Mar. 19, 1873; William 
Oilman, b June 12, 1875. 

6 ORSON TOWNSEND, 

son of William, b May 6, 1808, d Aug. 24, 1865, m Har- 
riett Mariah Holt Dec. 3, 1837. She was b July 22,1814, 
d Nov. 20, 1891. Their children: Helena died quite 
young; Susan Aurolia, b Jan. 15, 1843, d June 2, 1897; 



i6 

Anna Harriett b Mar. i, 1847, now living at Newton 
Center, Mass. She m J. R. Crandall, had three children 
only one of them living: Albert Orson, b Oct. 13, 1851, 
supposed to be dead; Nettie Clara, b July 17, 1854, d 
Feb. 8, 1880. In 1836 Orson bought father's farm in 
Reading, Vt. , and spent the remainder of his days there. 

6 ALFRED TOWNSEND, 

son of Wm. Townsend, b Jan. 13, i8io, d in Indepen- 
dence, Texas, Mar. 10, 1871. When about 18 years of 
age while learning the tailors' trade at Windsor, Vt. , he 
had a severe sickness of pneumonia which caused the 
collapse of one lung which remained so all his life. He 
could not stand the cold winters of the north so he went 
to Mississippi in about 1843 or 4 and went into the mer- 
cantile business which he followed all his days. In his 
condition it is a wonder that he lived to the age he did. 
He m Nancy Cole Dec. 25, 1845. She was b Nov. i, 
1829, and d Feb. 11, 1905. Their children as follows: 
Jennie, b June 27, 1848; Albert Wm. , b Sep. 20, 1850; 
Alice, b Dec. 15, 1852; Mildred Josephine, b Sep. i8, 
1854. They are all living at this date 1905. 

7 Jennie for her first husband m Capt. Perrin by whom 
she had one daughter, Edna Palmer, who has five 
daughters. Jennie m for her second husband Capt. 
Truslow, now living in New Orleans. 

7 Albert Wm. m Frances Randolph, have two sons, 
Randolph and Albert Wm. Jr. , all living in Austin, Te.xas. 

7 Alice m W. J. Oliphant. Their children are Alfred, 
Lawrence, Jennie, and William. Their home is Austin, 
Texas. Mildred J. never has m. 



17 
6 ALBERT TOWNSEND, 

son of Wm. Townsend, twin brother to Alfred, b Jan. 
13, 1810, d at Carthage, Miss., Apr, 24, 1845. Hem 
Mrs. Mary Ann Mason Nov. 1843. She was b 

d 1873. Their children: Aurelia, 

b Aug. 15, 1844, d Oct. 3, 1877; Susan Eliza, date of 
b and d not known but suppose she died in infancy. 

Aurelia m Dr. R. E. Jackson at Montgomery, La., 
Nov. 22, 1866. He was b Sep. 23, 1836, now living at 
Colfax, La. in 1905. Their children : Mildred, b Oct. i, 
1867, m J. A. Williams; Albert S., b Oct. 2, 1868; 
Elma M., b Nov. 19, 1869; Jennie P., b Nov. 28, 1873. 

6 AURELIA TOWNSEND, 

daughter of Wm. Townsend, b Sep. 30, 181 1, d July 
5, 1 89 1, at Reading, Vt, m Rev. Horace Herrick Dec. 
I, 1836. He was b May ii, 1807, d Jan. 31, 1891. 
They had no children. 

6 SUSAN TOWNSEND, 

daughter of Wm. Townsend, b Mar. 20, 1813, d Oct. 19, 
1879. She m Ezra Fay May 24, 1855. He was b Dec. 
20, 1805, d Apr. 28, 1872. They had one daughter, 
Minnie C. , b Aug. 6, 1857. For many years she was a 
successful school teacher. At the present time she is 
librarian at the Reading Town Library and has been for 
many years, and is a great worker in the temperance cause 
and church and Sunday school work. 



i8 

6 WM. SMITH TOWNSEND, 

son of Wm. Townsend, b Oct. i6, 1814, d Sep. 9, 1864. 
For his first wife he m Charlotte Ried Apr. 12, 1843. 
She was b Dec. 7, 1813, d Sep. i, 1844. They had one 
daughter, Zeona Charlotte, b Feb. 2, 1844, d Dec. i, 
1862. For his second wife he m Mrs. Martha L. (Per- 
kins) Harrell Nov. 7, 1845. She was b Feb. 28, 1820, 
is now 1905 living at Blairstown, La. She had by her 
first husband a daughter, Margaret Louise Harrell, b 
Dec. 10, 1844, d Sep. 28, 1900. She m Lawrence 
Mahoney and had five sons. 

By Wm. S. Townsend' s second marriage they had 
the following named children: Luero William, b Oct. 4. 
1846, d July I, 1874; Delando Dennis, b Oct. 22, 1848, 
lives at Pride, La. ; Larona Martha Ann, b Nov. 3, 1850, 
d June 22, 1902. She was twice married, to two brothers, 
the latter one was Thomas Drixier. She left ten children. 
Matura Appalona, b Nov. 16, 1852, m Thomas Eddards, 
and lives at Bluff Creek, La. They have five children : 
Wm. Oliver, Leroy, Mary Vannette, Cornelia, Dewitt. 
Oredas Eli, b June 26, 1855, now lives at Olive Branch, 
La., m Miss Janie Lewis. Their children as follows: 
Hallie, Annie, John, Correy, Henry, Joseph, Janie Lewis. 
Reece Araldus, b June 3, 1857, d Aug. 4, 1877. Levi 
Allen, b Nov. 12, 1859, now living at Slaughter, La., 
m Jan. 9, 1883 to Elmira A. Carpenter. His wife and 
one son are deceased, four children living, Ernest A. , 
Oredas M., Leonard and Lula M. Siera Nevada, b 
Sep. 22, 1862, d May 10, 1895. She first m a Mr. 
Eddards, by whom she had one son, second, m Mr. 



19 

Lipscomb, they had one son. Wm. Smith Jr. , b Feb. 
26, 1865, Hves at Blairstown, La., m Nettie Bearing, 
Nov. 28, 1890, they have the following named children: 
AlHe P., Nathan R., John D., William O., Eugene D., 
and Mattie Siera. Delando Dennis m Mar. 24, 1875, 
Annie Richardson, they had children as follows, Maggie 
R. m E. D. Led, Lillie E. m Y. S. Bankston, Guy 
Darris, Mittie lona, Murphy James, and Lorena. 

Wm. Smith Townsend Sr. was a noted writing mas- 
ter in his early days, and later he taught singing schools 
through the northern part of eastern La., and was a 
prominent preacher in the Methodist churches and had 
wonderful success in winning souls to Christ. In 1855 
there were converted under his preaching more than four 
hundred persons. When in the south in 1904 I inquired 
of an ex-slave if he ever knew a preacher by the name of 
Townsend, and he said, "Good Lord yes, I heard him 
preach a power of times. He was a mighty fine man, 
mighty tine man, Massa Townsend was." 

He had a large farm in Livingston Parish. 

6 DENNIS TOWNSEND, 

son of Wm. Townsend, b May 8, 1817, d in Olita, Cali- 
fornia, Feb. 21, 1874. He m Lizzie Ray, May 3, 1849. 
She was b Nov. 3, 1828, in 1905 was living at Olita, Cal- 
ifornia. His life was mostly spent in teaching in high 
schools and academies, and served as County Superin- 
tendent of Schools for many years, also a noted violinist. 
He was the inventor of the Folding Globe. Their chil- 
dren as follows: Juliet Ann, b Oct. 29, 1850, d Jan, 27, 



20 



1851; Mary Emma, b Nov. 27, 1857; Dennis Jr., b Aug. 
3, 1 86 1, both living in Olita, California in 1905. 

7 Mary Emma, daughter of Dennis Townsend, m Mr. 
Love. Their children: Francis Elmer, b Jan. 14, 1878; 
Carrie Elizabeth and Synthia Maud, b July 13, 1879; 
Martha Ellen, b Jan. 14, 1881; Wm. Edward, b Jan. 12, 
1882; Dennis, b Mar. 2, 1883; George, b Sep. 7, 1884; 
Margaret, b Sep. 23, 1886; Roy, b Jan. 8, 1890. The 
above family are all living at this date, 1905. 

6 FREDERICK VAN ALSTYNE TOWNSEND 

son of Wm. Townsend, was b Apr. 9, 1824, d July 20, 
1893. His early life was spent on a farm, until several 
years after his marriage, when he went to Springfield, 
Vt. , and formed a partnership with his brother-in-law as 
the firm of Gillman & Townsend for the manufacturing 
of shoe last machines and any other oval shaped goods. 
They were very successful in business. On account of 
failing health he retired from the business two or three 
years before he died. He married Aurelia Royce Jan. 
2, 1851. She was b Apr. 5, 1831, and is now in 1905 
living at Springfield, Vt. Their children are: 

7 Ervin Alstyne, b Dec. 25, 1851, and lives at Beloit, 
Wis., m Minnie E. Duquet Oct. 21, 1875. She was b 
Oct. 21, 1858. They have an adopted son who is m 
and has one child. They live on a farm in Iowa. Ervin 
A. is a mechanic. 

7 Amasa Watkins, b Feb. 28, 1857, was a graduate 
of Dartmouth College and studied Law and went to Iowa 
where he was admitted to the Bar, and followed the pro- 



21 



fession for several years. He m Nellie Storrs Dec. 29, 
1 88 1. She was b Oct. 21, 1853. For many years they 
have resided on a farm in Lebanon, N. H. Their chil- 
dren are: 8 Ellice Storrs, b Aug. i, 1883; Harry Storrs, b 
Apr. 2, 1886: Hugh, b Feb. 23, 1888; Philep Nelson, b 
Apr. 8, 1890. 

Mary Aurelia, b May 7, 1868, m Bert Denny Bowen, 
Aug. 19, 1889. He was b Aug. 19, 1867. They live 
at Springfield, Vt. , and in the grocery business and pros- 
perous. They were both graduates of the St. Johnsbury 
Academy. 

6 ISABELLA TOWNSEND, 

daughter of Wm. Townsend, b Feb. 26, 1827, d Apr. 2, 
1895, at Mapleton, Kansas. She m Henry Waterman 
Sep. 17, 1850. He was born May 3, 1826, d Jan. 29, 
1904, at Kansas City, Kans. , and taken to Mapleton and 
interred by the side of his wife. Their children are: 
Charles H., b June 10, 1853; Myron A., b Oct. 28,1855; 
Isabella A., b Feb. 14, 1857; Wm. R., b Apr. 6, i860, 
d Dec. 7, 1890, at Oneal, Neb.; Carrie B., b Feb. 3, 
1862; Frank C.,b Mar. 30, 1865; Dennis E., b May 7, 1870, 

7 Myron A. is Cashier at Kansas City, Kans. of a 
State Savings Bank, is living with his second wife, a sis- 
ter of Rev. Charles Sheldon. They have one son and 
one son by his first wife. 

7 Carrie B. , m Sumner J. Rice. They live at Harvard, 
Neb. Their children are: Ernest, Edgar, Isabella, Nor- 
man, Eva, and Jessie Esther. Mr. Rice is engaged in 
the lumber business. 



22 

6 FRANCIS TORREY TOWNSEND, 

the writer, son of Wm. Townsend, b Mar. 5, 1829, now 
living at Clay, Iowa. For first wife he m Charlotte Steb- 
bins Aug. 3, 1852. For second wife he m Rosanna 
Reward May 18, 1875. For third wife m Melissa A. 
Braman Aug. 9. 1877. 

Charlotte S. wash Apr. 22, 1825, d Apr. i, 1874. 

Rosanna H. was b July 12, 1829, d Feb. 2, 1877. 

Melissa A. B. , was b June 20, 1836, d Sep. 24, 1884. 

The following children, all by first wife: 7 George Big- 
elow, b Oct. 31, 1854; Frank Stebbins, b Apr. 23, 1857; 
Hattie Eliza, b Oct. 9, i860. George B. was b in Nor- 
wich, Vt. ; Frank S. in Clay, Iowa; Hattie E. in Dutch 
Creek Township, Iowa. 

7 George B. m Carrie E. Meacham Apr. 2, 1878. 
Their home is at River Forest, 111. She was b July 15, 
1858. Their children are: Vira Kate, b in Washington, 
Iowa, Mar. 13, 1879; Carl Randolph, b in Chicago, Apr. 
5, i886; Elmer Lewis, b in River Forest, 111., Aug. 13, 
1895. 8 Vira K. m George Rowe Morrell at River 
Forest, 111., Oct. 22, 1903. , 

7 Frank S. m Lillian Jones Mar. 31, 1892. She was 
b Sep. 23, 1859. They reside at Coshocton, Ohio. He 
is manager of a large Lithographing Co. , which business 
he has been engaged in for many years. Lillian Jones' 
father, G. T. Jones, was born in Wales and came to this 
country at ten years of age. Her mother was born in 
Stuben, Stuben Co., New York. Lillian was born in 
Trenton, Oneido Co., N. Y. Frank S. was bom in 
Clay, Iowa. They have no children. 



23 

7 Hattie Eliza m Dudley A. Meacham Oct. 20, 1881. 
They live on my home farm in Clay, Iowa, and I make 
my home with them. He was b in Clay, Iowa, Apr. 2 1 , 
1855. Their children are: Bessie Kate, b Mar. 7, 1883; 
Frank Townsend, b Mar. 8, 1890; Floy Charlotte, b 
May 10, 1895. 

Dudley A. Meacham for many years has been Post- 
master here and R. R. Station and Express Agent, and 
runs a general store and the farm. 

6 VAN BUREN TOWNSEND, 

son of Wm. Townsend, was b Jan. 4, 1831, d at Tampa, 
Florida, Oct. 30, 1898, m Anna Austin, Sep. 13, 1858. 
She was b May 15, 1841, in Scotland. Her parents 
were English. They had one child, Carloss Delando, b 
Dec. 3, 1873, at Worcester, Mass. He m Lizzie Flor- 
incia Bell. She was b Apr. 9, 1880. Their children are: 
Vera Bell, b Apr. 2. 1900; Hazel Austin, Jan. 21, 1903. 

6 VELETTE P. TOWNSEND, 

son of Wm. Townsend, b Apr. 18, 1S32, d Dec. 11, 1903, 
at Worcester, Mass. He m Emily C. Stebbins Mar. 17, 
1857, for first wife. She was b June 12, 1823, d Apr. 8, 
i860, in Clay Iowa. They had one child, Mary Isabell. 
b Dec. 18, 1857, who resides at Worcester, Mass., and 
is a successful manicure and chiropodist. For second 
wife he m Eliza Jane Hallett, Oct. 24, 1865. She was b 
May 2, 1835, now resides at Worcester, Mass., in 1905. 
For many years V. P. T. was in the employ of the Wash- 
burn & Moen Iron Works at Ouinsigamond, and was 
Postmaster there for about 15 or 20 years. 



24 

6 MARQUIS DERELEUS TOWNSEND, 

son of 5 Wm. Townsend, was a farmer until 1862 when 
he entered the Union Army where he remained until the 
close of the War of the Rebellion. After that up to about 
1900 he was in the mercantile business in Conneant, Ohio. 
Since then and now holding a position in the Adjutant 
General's ofifice at Columbus, Ohio. He was b Oct. 23, 
1835. His first wife was Cordelia Hicks. They were m 
Sep. 15, 1858. She was b May 17,1836, d Oct.21,1870. 
By this marriage they had one child, Carrie, b Apr, 13, 
1862. She m D. Burt Phillips. They had two children: 
Robert Townsend, b Sep. 2, 1891; Carey Townsend, b 
May I, 1899 Carrie d May 2, 1899. He m for his 
second wife, Mary A. Palmer Sep. 30, 1874. She was 
b Feb. 25, 1838, d Aug. i, 1896. Their children were: 
Fanney Gould, b Jan. 7, 1878; Mildred, b Feb. 17, 1879, 
d May 18, 1886. 

7 Fanney G. , m Frederick G. Kelley, and live at 
Conneant, Ohio, where she was born. They have one 
child. 



25 



CHAPTER III. 



I am the son of William Townsend, who was born in 
Lynn, Mass., and of Revolutionary stock as heretofore 
related. He came with his father's family to Reading, 
Vermont, in 1790, when ten years of age where he spent 
the balance of his life save from 1836 to 1857, which he 
passed in Norwich. He was a very kind and benevolent 
man. Was ever so ready to grant a favor to his neigh- 
bors that his name was justly called "Accommodation." 
His many virtues, social qualities and musical talent, as 
he was a great violinist and fifer, gained him a large cir- 
cle of friends whom he loved till the close of life. 

My mother's name was Hannah Gould Bigelow. She 
was one of the best women that ever lived. She was 
very capable, of amiable disposition, and to know her 
was to love her. On her marriage she stepped into a 
large family of small children to take the place of a mother. 
Her even and loving ways soon won the hearts of them 
all. She had a large family of her own, and we all grew 
up as the children of one mother. Her step-children 
loved her as their own mother, and after leaving home 
they always wrote to her in reply to her loving letters, 
some of them told me they never delayed in answering 
such good letters as she used to write to them. They 
revered her name as long as they lived. She lived to be 
almost 90, and out-lived all of her step-children but one. 
I never saw her show the least anger in my life. She 
governed her household with love. Words cannot 



26 

express the admiration and love I have for her unselfish 
life. If there was ever a saint in this world she was one. 
Let that be as it may, she has now gone to her great 
reward. 

Grandfather moved into the wilderness and built a log 
house and covered the roof with bark. Then came pri- 
vations and hard work to clear the land of a heavy growth 
of timber to make a farm. 

I was born in Reading, Windsor County, Vermont, 
March 5, 1829, about a mile from my grand parents' old 
home, in plain sight across a deep valley. This farm 
sloped to the north and my father's to the south; where 
in 1900 there were live apple trees that were set out in 
about 1 81 5, When a small boy I gathered and ate 
apples from these trees. 

One day when about six years old I went into the 
orchard with a younger brother where I saw some nice 
apples on a young tree which were so tempting that I 
secured a stone about as large as a goose egg and threw 
at the apples as I supposed, but my aim was bad for the 
stone struck a limb and bounded back and hit me square 
in the mouth cutting my lips and broke a corner off of 
one of my teeth; that ended apple eating that day. My 
brother said that was to pay me for disobeying my 
mother for she told me not to touch the apples. I won- 
der if the apple has been such a terrible thing ever since 
the days of Adam. 

I was the 15th child in a family of 18 children where 
there were two mothers. 



27 

At the age of five years I began to attend school at 
what was called the Brown school house, nearly one and 
one-half miles from my home. In the winter time we had 
a horse and sleigh to ride in, but some days the snov\' 
would be drifted so bad that we had to remain at home. 

At the close of the winter term of school in the spring 
of 1836 when I was seven years old, I spoke my first 
piece in public which was as follows, which I have never 
forgotten. 

" Among the deepest shades of night 
Can there be one who sees my way, 
Yes, God is like a shining light 
That turns the darkness into day. 
If I could find some cave unknown 
Where human foot had never trod, 
Yet there I should not be alone 
For on every side there would be God." 

These truths made lasting impressions on my youthful 
mind. 

This leads me to say, sow good seed in the spring- 
time of life. 

In Dec. 1836, with my parents we moved to Norwich, 
Vt. , where father bought a place containing four acres of 
land in the edge of the village on the south side of the 
Military University grounds. Here I attended the dis- 
trict school. The first few years our school room was 
not very comfortable; our desks were made of wide 
boards put up against the wall extending around the 
room with the front edge the lowest. For seats we had 
long wide slabs with legs to them. When we sat our 
faces towards the desk we had no support for our backs. 



28 

When we reversed our position we had the edge of a 
board for a support. If the reader thinks that would be 
comfortable, please try it a while. In summer time 
when not in school I was not allowed to run wild in the 
streets, but was kept busy at work on our four acres of 
land which father kept in a high state of cultivation. 

At ten years of age I commenced to work out some, 
for a farmer at the edge of the village. E. S. Messenger 
was his name. I drove a span of horses harrowing in 
grain, etc., at i2>^ cents per day. I used to do light 
jobs in the village, and soon took contracts at sawing up 
cord wood by hand twice in two for fifty cents per cord. 

During the summer of 1843 I worked on a farm as a 
general chore boy at three dollars per month for Captain 
Freeland of the U. S. Navy, he owning a farm adjoining 
the village. One day he came out into the hay field and 
wanted to pitch hay on to the cart, which he did very 
well, but when he undertook to drive the oxen to the 
next tumble, was a stumper. I had to take the whip and 
drive, and he said he could steer a ship better than he 
could a yoke of oxen. The winter following I lived with 
Farris Cummings and did chores for my board and 
attended school. 

During the summer of 1844 I worked for E. S. Mes- 
senger on a farm for four dollars per month; and the 
next winter at Mr. Cummings' again and attended school. 

The spring of 1845 my father sold his place in the 
village and went four miles into the country and bought 
a farm in the neighborhood called New Boston. 



29 

I remained at home until the spring of 1847, when I 
hired out to Daniel O. Gillette on the road called 
Christian street in Hartford, for six months doing farm 
work for ten dollars per month. The following winter 
I remained with him and did chores for my board and 
attended school. The next year 1848 I worked for him 
again, nine months for nine dollars per month. 

When about thirteen years of age I experienced relig- 
ion, but did not join the church until I was twenty, when 
I united with the North Norwich Congregational Church, 
generally called the Center Church. A few years later 
this church disbanded and united with the church at the 
x'illage. 

On Mar. 5, 1850, the day that I was twenty-one years 
of age I cast my first ballot printed on it "No License." 
I have been opposed to the rum trafific all my life. The 
first of April of this year I went to Worcester, Mass. , 
and commenced work in the H. S. Washburn Quinsiga- 
mond wire mill for $150 and board, for the first year, 
and the second year for $ 200 and board. The third 
year I worked by the day, at $ i . 50 per day and boarded 
myself. 

In 1 85 1 I wrote the following article and read at Wor- 
cester at the celebration of Fore Fathers' Day, as follows : 

OUR PILGRIM FORE FATHERS. 

As we look back two hundred and thirty years ago when 
that Christian band was persecuted and driven from one place 
to another in the old world because they were determined to 
serve God according to the dictates of their own consciences 



30 

without leaning what wicked men would do to them, for thej 
feared God rather than man. Under these circumstances they 
formed themselves into a company with the determination to 
settle in the new world where they could worship their Maker, 
and there could be no one to molest nor make afraid. Two 
vessels were obtained, the Speedwell and the Mayflower, in 
which one hundred and twenty of their number were appointed 
to embark from an English port for America. They were des- 
tined to figure in the world's history as the celebrated Pilgrims 
of New England. 

By the bad condition of the Speedwell and being delayed 
some time they finally abandoned her and a portion of the 
company who were discouraged at the evident dangers of the 
voyage were dismissed, reducing their number to one hundred 
and one including men, women and children. This company 
were all crowded into the Mayflower, which set sail from Ply- 
mouth, England, on the 6th of Sep. 1620, bearing the founders 
of New England across the pathless ocean which was lashed to 
fury at times by the mighty winds tossing their frail bark to and 
fro with its precious burden but it brought them safe to Ply- 
mouth Rock on the 20th of Dec, just as the gloomy winter was 
setting in. 

What heart among the tenants of that vessel with Christian 
feelings could have indulged anticipations of the destiny before 
them. Where were the habitations to receive and shelter them, 
in those desolate and snow clad regions. Where were the 
hearths and the fires around which they were to cluster during 
the long and cold winter on which they were just entering. 
Where were the store houses from which their daily food was to 
be drawn, or where were their consecrated houses in which they 
were to hold public communion with their Maker. 

It is not needful for me to make any recital, for you are all 
familiar with their history. There is no marvel that famine and 
disease made such desolation among them. It is rather a mar- 
vel that they were not all cut off, that any should have remained 
from whose loins a goodly nation has been born, to which we 



31 

can trace our own family lineage. We cannot fully realize the 
facts that are laid down in history, any more than we can real- 
ize what a person has to undergo seeking his fortune in the 
gold fields of California. There is so much apparent romance, 
so much extraordinary incident surpassing all other history, 
instead of realizing the truth as in other cases, we are actually 
bewildered and amazed. 

Suppose this day there was to be exhibited in some of our 
halls a Panorama in great perfection of the landing of the com- 
pany of the Mayflower in the cold month of Dec. 1620, each 
individual in the costume of that day all exhibiting their true 
condition; one bowed down with disease and fatigue; one 
kneeling on the frozen ground in the attitude of prayer; one 
with a complete picture of despair on his countenance; all shiv- 
ering with cold. 

We might admire the skill of the painter but even that pre- 
senting so much as possible the circumstances of this plighted 
band in contrast with the circumstances of the present day 
would not enable us to realize the scene as it should be. 

The principles those noble pioneers possessed have extended 
all over our land from north to south and from east to west, 
and are shaking the foundations of the governments of the 
whole world. 

In July, 1852 I went back to Norwich, Vt. , to my old 
home on a visit and to be married, which event occurred 
Aug. 3; was married to Charlotte Stebbins. On return- 
ing to Worcester we commenced keeping house and to 
continue my work. We brought letters from the church 
at Norwich, Vt. , and united with the Union Congrega- 
tional Church in Worcester; Dr. Wm. Smalley was pas- 
tor at that time. In Dec, 1852 the Washburn Co., had 
me leave the wire mill and go out on the railroads in 
New England and buy wrought scrap iron for them to 
make over into wire. 



32 

Being away from home so much of the time we broke 
up housekeeping, and I took my wife back to Vermont 
and hired her boarded at her father's, where I made it 
my headquarters while I remained in this business. 

In Sep., 1854 in company with L. H. Stebbins and F. 
H. Hutchinson we took a trip to Iowa to look at the 
country with the view of locating there. We went via 
Ogdensburg, N. Y. , there we took a steamer going up 
the river St. Lawrence. The scenery was very fine in 
passing the famous Thousand Islands, where many peo- 
ple had fine homes and surrounded by beautiful parks or 
flower gardens which were just lovely. The next morn- 
ing we landed at Lewiston on the Niagara River, where 
we took a stage for the Falls. 

At that time they were building a Railroad between 
those points, in some places they were cutting forty feet 
deep in rock. While at the Falls we went down to the 
foot of the Falls on the American side. Words cannot 
describe the grandeur of the scene. From there we went 
by rail to Buffalo, where that evening we took a steamer 
for Monroe at the west end of Lake Erie. 

There we took the cars the next P. M. , and arrived at 
Adrian, Mich., at 7 P. M., and stayed with Francis 
Stebbins, a cousin of my wife, until the next noon when 
we left for Chicago and arrived there after dark. The 
next morning we looked around a while, found plenty of 
mud and small houses, think the largest was but three 
stories high. 

At 9 A. M. we took a steamer for Milwaukee, Wis. , 
arriving there at 2 P. M. 



33 

We walked out about three miles to Aaron Loveland's 
and James Stickney's, old Vermont neighbors, where we 
arrived on Saturday afternoon, and stayed with them 
over Sunday. 

On Monday morning we took the cars for Janesville, 
Wis., arriving there in time for dinner; after which we 
took stage for Monroe, Wis. 

It was not long before we came out on to the broad 
prairie which looked splendid, many farms improved all 
along the road. We arrived at Monroe at lo P. M., 
and remained until morning, when we resumed our jour- 
ney on the stage. The country was rolling with many 
scattering small trees, we reached Galena before sundown, 
this was in the great lead mining country. 

The next morning we took stage again for Dubuque, 
Iowa, where we arrived about noon, and remained there 
until 4 P. M. , when we took stage and rode all night 
and next day until just before sundown when we landed 
at Davenport. Here we had a good night's sleep after 
our long stage ride. The next day we went by stage to 
Muscatine. There were two four-horse coach loads of 
passengers. Davenport and Muscatine looked as if they 
were going to make nice towns. 

The next morning we took stage for Washington, 
Iowa, where we arrived about 5 P. M. This being Sat- 
urday we disliked to remain over Sunday here, so we 
hired a man to carry us in his farm wagon over to Clay, 
17 miles, for which we paid him $5.00. We left Wash- 
ington a little before sundown and arrived at A. B. Wat- 
erman's in Clay at midnight. On our way over we 



34 

passed through timber where people were hunting for a 
lost child with torches. 

We remained here several days visiting and looking 
over the country, I bought eighty acres of prairie and 
ten of timber. The prairie was in Dutch Creek Town- 
ship, Washington Co., and the ten of timber was in 
Keokuk Co. I paid $400 for the whole. We went 
from here to Denmark in Lee Co. , and visited the Bur- 
tons, old Vermonters. We thought that this was to be 
a good farming country, and it has proved to be so. 
Along the streams there was plenty of timber, which the 
northwestern part of the state has not. 

From there we went to Fort Madison where we took 
a steam boat for Rock Island on our homeward trip. 

From there we went all the way by rail to Vermont. 
This fall, Oct. 31, 1854, our son George was born. I 
continued with the Washburn Co. until July 1855, when 
on Aug. 10, I left Vermont for Iowa with my wife and 
babe in company with her father and mother Stebbins 
and her sister Emily and brother Levi, and my brother 
Velette P. Townsend, starting out to make us new homes 
for ourselves in the far west. 

We came by rail to Ogdensburg, N. Y. ; from there 
to Toronto, Canada by boat; from there to Callingwood 
by rail; the latter place was a new port on the Georgian 
Bay. There we took a boat, the Keystone State, for 
Chicago. There were 600 passengers on the boat. It 
was said that this boat was the largest one on the lakes 
at that time. 



35 

We left \'ermont on Monday morning and arrived at 
Chicago the next Sunday noon. We put up at the 
Briggs House and remained until the next morning when 
we took the train on the C. R. I. & P. R. R. for Rock 
Island, there we took a steamer for Muscatine on the 
Mississippi River at which place we remained over night. 

The next morning, Tuesday, we took stage for Wash- 
ington, Iowa, where we arrived at 5 P. M. and remained 
over night at the Iowa House kept by General Chipman. 

In Washington at this time, there were nine stores and 
shops located around the Square that contained the Court 
house, a small two-story brick building with four office rooms 
on first fioor, on second floor was one room for holding 
courts. The next morning, Aug. 19, we hired a man 
with two horses and an old hack, which they called 
stage, to take us over to Clay. While fording Skunk 
River on the way near Brighton, the team balked in the 
middle of the stream, when we called for help. In 
response a man with a farm wagon came to our relief 
and took us to dry land. The driver got on to the back 
of the balky horse and started him for the shore. It was 
quicksand where we stopped and the hack settled down 
so much that the bottom of our trunks were in the water 
but no damage done but to wet our clothing. We 
arrived at our destination at F. H. Hutchinson's in 
time for dinner. Mr. Hutchinson moved out here the 
fall before. 

Soon after arriving at Clay, my brother, Velette, and 
myself secured a job to build a steam saw-mill and set 
the engine for R. S. Mills and Wm. Reed. Levi 
Stebbins bought a farm in Clay instead of improving his 
prairie in Dutch Creek. 



36 

In the spring of 1856 we went in company and bought 
some cows and went to making cheese. 

The first and second winters here I worked in thg 
timber getting out material for the improvements on my 
land in Dutch Creek Township, about twelve miles from 
Clay. 

The winter of 1855 and 1856 was very cold, with deep 
snows. The early settlers here said they never saw so 
hard a winter before in Iowa. In the summer of 1856 I 
built a house in Franklin Township for Joseph Badger. 
On Apr. 23, 1857, my son, Frank S. was born, and 
during this year there were seven cousins born as 
follows : Frank S. Townsend, my son ; Mary Isabell 
Townsend, her father was V. P. T. ; Amasa W. Town- 
send, his father was F. V. A. T. ; Emma Townsend, her 
father was Dennis T. ; Rus Araldus Townsend, his 
father was Wm. S. T. ; Minnie C. Fay, daughter of 
Susan T. Fay ; Bell Waterman, daughter of Bell T. 
Waterman. 

In March 1857 I was taken sick and not able to do 
anything until June, but built my house on my land in 
Dutch Creek, this summer, but was late in the season 
before getting into it, and then there was no plastering 
done. We had lived through the summer in a building 
12x20 which I had built for a horse stable. One morn- 
ing in December after we had moved into the house, it 
not yet being plastered, it was so cold that water in our 
tumblers and potato skins on the table froze while we 
were eating our breakfast. Such was pioneer life. 



37 

In this year 1857 came the great financial crisis, which 
made it very hard for us in many ways, for we had not 
got to where we had anything to turn of? of our land — 
it was all outgo and no income. We had enough to 
eat, but very plain food, did not indulge in fine pastry 
and knicknacks. We had to contend with wet and dry 
seasons, and chintge bugs. One year they entirely de- 
stroyed our wheat, and did great damage to our corn. 
We looked forward to a brighter day coming. 

In 1859 we were charter members in the organization 
of the Franklin Congregational Church. We held our 
meetings in the Nash school-house for eight years. That 
year I gave five acres of land to the church for a parson- 
age and church building site, and built the parsonage 
that year. 

In i860, Oct. 9, our daughter Hattie Eliza was born 
to us. We continued to work along the best we could 
to get out of debt for several years, with not much 
variation from year to year. 

Oct. 23, 1864, I was drafted into the army. Was a 
member of Co. K. 13th Iowa Infantry. I went to 
Burlington to be examined and was accepted, and 
returned on a few days furlow to shape my business to 
leave my dear family, not knowing whether I would ever 
return or not. It was a terrible blow to my wife when 
we parted, and she never fully recovered from it. 

On leaving home I went direct to the Polls and voted 
for President Lincoln for his second term, and then went 
to Clay and stayed with Levi Stebbins over night, and 
the next morning went to Fairfield in the rain on horse 



38 

back. There I took the cars for BurHngton and reported 
for duty. We were sent by steamer to Davenport and 
went into camp where we remained about two weeks, 
when 200 of us were sent to the front. 

We went via Chicago, Louisville, Ky. to Nashville 
where we remained two days in the Zolakoffer Barracks, 
an uncompleted hotel, which was confiscated as the 
owner was a General in the Confederate Army. There 
we were introduced to gray backs without number. Our 
next stop was at Chattanooga, Tenn., where we drew our 
arms and drilled a few days. We then went on as far as 
Tunnel Hill, Ga. where we remained over night and next 
A. M. spent in drilling. Here we received notice that 
General Sherman and his army had left Atlanta and we 
were to go no further. We returned to Chattanooga 
that P. M. on cars loaded with railroad iron, which 
was rather a hard seat, but better than marching. 
Here we remained a few days and drilled. Then we 
were sent back to Nashville to help defend the city from 
an attack by Gen. Hood as he was driving General 
Schofield's army that way. General Thomas formed 
his line near the city, and with Gen. Schofield's, threw 
up fortifications, from the river above the city to the 
river below, the city being in a bow of the river. Gen. 
Hood with his army came within sight and did the same 
a short distance up the mountain side, on advantageous 
ground. There we lay for two weeks looking at each 
other while Gen. Sherman was getting a good start for 
the sea, and further out of the way for Gen. Hood to 
attack him in the rear of his army. 



39 

On Dec. 15, 1864 Gen. Thomas' army, whom I was 
then with, marched out and attacked Gen. Hood's army 
in their strong hold. It was a hard fought battle, and 
at the close of the day on the i6th Gen. Hood's army 
was completely routed, this being the second day's fight. 
It rained all that night and most of the 17th when we 
were in pursuit of Hood's broken columns, until he 
crossed the Tennessee river. Gen. Hood lost about 
15,000 men, in killed and prisoners, and about 80 pieces 
of artillery. By the time we arrived at the Tennessee 
river, where Gen. Hood crossed near Decatur, Ala., I 
was in a bad condition, and was sent to the Hospital at 
Chattanooga, Tenn. , Hospital No 2, where I arrived on 
Dec. 27. For a few days we suffered with the cold for 
the want of fuel to keep our hospital tents warm. 

On Jan. 17, 1865 I received my first letter from home, 
but my wife had written me every week, but I was on 
the move so much that they failed to reach me. On 
that evening I started on a Hospital train for Nashville. 
That evening about ten o'clock near Stevenson's 
Junction we had a rear and a head on collision, but none 
were hurt, but the platforms were badly smashed but the 
cars remained on the track. We were delayed 36 hours 
for repairs. At 10 P. M. Jan. 19 we arrived at Nash- 
ville and were taken in an ambulance to Hospital No. 2, 
section 10 into large hospital tents with floors, up a foot 
from the ground and a good stove in each and plenty 
good wood to burn. I soon began to gain as we had 
such warm quarters and a plenty of good food. 



40 

On Feb. 15, I was appointed as medicine nurse for 
our section of ten tents. My business was to go with the 
Doctor through the tents and take the prescriptions and 
go to the Despensary to get the medicine and deUver it 
to the nurses in each tent for them to deal out to the 
sick ones. 

While in Nashville at this time I used to get a pass 
occasionally and go out to see the City. I visited the 
State House, which was built on the highest point in the 
city. Standing on the steps we could look on a level 
over the buildings in the city. I also visited the home 
of the late President Polk, who was buried in his door 
yard, but since his widow's death his remains have been 
removed to the cemetery and placed by the side of his 
wife. 



41 



CHAPTER IV. 



At the hospital at Nashville was where we received 
the sad news of the death of our President, Abraham 
Lincoln. On the day of his funeral we had appropriate 
exercises at Nashville, and I heard Governor Brownlow 
deliver an eulogy which was grand. 

On May 31, I bid adieu to the hospital and started 
for my regiment which was at Washington, D. C. , in 
Gen. Sherman's army. We went via Louisville, Ky. , 
Indianapolis, Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburg, Pa., Harris- 
burg, Pa., Baltimore, Md. , and arrived at Washington 
June 3, 1865. On passing through a tunnel three-fourths 
of a mile long on the summit of the Alleghany Mountains 
we came out on the east side where we had a magnificent 
view of the lower mountains, and soon passed around 
the famous horse-shoe bend. 

While in Washington, on June 6th, with five others 
we secured a pass to go into the city, where we visited 
Capitol, Patent Office, Post-office Department, the 
Smithsonian Institute and the White House. They 
were all worth seeing. While in the White House we 
took some seats to rest a short time, when Allen 
Meacham (my mess mate, who was with me all the time 
I was in the service) went to sleep. In a few minutes, an 
attendant came along and woke him up and said ' ' this 
is no place to sleep." As we passed out Mr. Meacham 
said, "Townsend, I have slept in the White House, and 
you can't say that." 



42 

On June 8th, we, with our regiment, left Washington, 
for the west over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, via 
Harper's Ferry and arrived at Parkersburg on the Ohio 
river at daylight June loth. We remained there during 
the day and at lo P. M. we went on board of the steamer, 
America, bound for Louisville, Ky. , but the boat did 
not start until next morning. We passed Cincinnati 
about midnight. It was a very bright moonlight night. 
We arrived at Louisville, June I2th, at 4 P. M. where 
we left the boat and marched out from the city about one- 
half a mile and went into camp for the night. The next 
day we marched out into the country about four miles 
and went into permanent camp to wait for our turn to be 
sent home. We were camped on a nice dry ridge, with 
large scattering trees, which made a fine shade ; there 
was no under brush. 

Our whole Brigade which was made up of the irth, 
13th, 15th, and 1 6th Regiments Iowa Infantry, all 
secured water from a powerful spring coming out of a 
large crack in a rock in a small cave. The water was 
very cold and clear. I quit drinking coffee when I 
could get such good water to drink. 

On July 4th, Gen. Sherman gave us a review and 
made us a short farewell address. We were mustered out 
July 21 but remained under the command of our officers 
until we could reach Iowa and be paid ofif and get our 
discharges. 

On the P. M. of July 22nd, we broke camp and 
marched to Louisville and crossed the Ohio River at 
sundown, and went aboard of the cars at Jeffersonville, 



43 

Ind., which were common box cars with rough board 
seats next to the outside of the car and a double seat 
through the middle. We soon started toward home ; 
this mode of travel was better than marching, and an 
improvement over the way we had been traveling on box 
and fiat cars with no seats except the car floors. The 
next day, the 23rd of July, at noon we arrived at 
Indianapolis where we changed cars and were restricted 
to one car for a company which made it so crowded that 
part of us were obliged to ride on top of the car, and I 
was one of them. I tied myself to the foot-board on top 
of the car and spread my blanket over me at night and 
went to sleep. Sometime in the night it began to rain, 
I then spread my gum blanket over me and again 
went to sleep. 

We arrived at Chicago at daylight the morning of 
July 24th, and left there the same day in the evening 
and arrived at Davenport, Iowa, the morning of 
July 25th. 

We remained at the Barracks until July 28th, when 
we were paid off and received our discharges, and were 
free men once more. 

About dark of the same day we took the cars for 
Washington, Iowa, where we arrived about midnight, 
and went to a hotel and went to bed for the remainder 
of the night. After breakfast in the morning we found 
that our hotel bills had been paid by the people of Wash- 



ington. 



On this A. M. of July 29, I walked out to my home 
in Dutch Creek, about seven miles, where I arrived at 



44 

1 1 A. M. You may rest assured that I was happy to 
be with my family once more. 

A great portion of the time while I was in the Army I 
was troubled with the chronic diarrhea, and on arriving 
at home it came on to me very bad again and continued 
nearly a year before I could get it stopped; was hardly 
able to walk about. Dr. Piper from Cherry Valley, 
Ohio, was visiting in the neighborhood the next summer 
and he cured me. 

I worked along the best I could on my farm and was 
getting out of debt slowly. 

In 1867 we built our new church building for the 
Franklin Church. I was Superintendent of the Sabbath 
School, and Chorister for about nine years, and was one 
of the building committee while building the church. 

In the fall of 1869 I sold my farm, and in company 
with B. J. Barton and W. N. Stanley took a trip with a 
team across the state to Sioux City, and from there up 
into South Dakota, to look for land to make us new 
homes. We went as far as Yankton. Mr. Barton and 
Mr. Stanley located there, took up each a homestead, 
but I came home and finally bought the Maning Mills 
farm, of 105 acres, in Clay and moved here in Nov. 1869. 

The next fall, 1870, my three children had the typhoid 
fever and came very near passing to the spirit world. 

In 1 87 1 I built the kitchen part of my new house. In 
1873 I built the front part of the house. In March 1874 
my son Frank was very sick with lung fever, and about 
the time he began to improve his mother was taken with 
pleurisy in both sides at the same time, and was a great 



45 

sufferer for several days when she passed away to her 
heavenly home, Apr. i, 1874. She had been in very 
poor health for many years. We always lived in perfect 
harmony and unbounded love for each other. It was a 
great affliction to myself and to the children to lose their 
dear mother. God knew what was for the best and took 
her to Himself to be free from the trials and sufferings of 
this life. 

In connection with my farm work I built my own 
house, besides doing much carpenter work for others 
when I could spare the time from my farm work. In the 
fall of 1874 I built a house for John Staats in Jefferson 
County. 

On May i8th, 1875, I married Mrs. Rosanna Reward, 
widow of I. C. Reward of Tremont, 111., Tagewell Co. 
Rer father was Nathan Dillon, the first white man that 
settled in that County. Ris home was near an Indian 
village ol several hundred Indians. After the county 
began to settle up some, the Governor appointed Mr. 
Dillon a Justice of the Peace, which office he held for 
many years. About six weeks after our marriage, Rosanna 
was taken hard sick and never seemed any better but 
was gradually failing. The Doctors here gave her up 
and advised me to take her to Keokuk, Iowa, to Dr. 
Rughes where we remained for nearly two months, but 
was tailing all the time. Dr. Rughes finally gave her 
case up as incurable. It was her request to be buried 
by the side of her first husband in Illinois and she 
wished to go to her old home to see her relatives once 
more. I took her there where she continued to suffer 



46 

and waste away for several weeks, when she passed away 
Feb. 2nd, 1877, and was layed to rest in the Antioc 
Cemetery about three miles south of Tremont, Tagewell 
Co., 111. 

While I was away with my wife Mr. and Mrs. M. 
Wattles came and kept house and took care of the 
stock, etc. 

In Apr. 1877, I took my daughter, Hattie, with me 
and went back to Vermont on a visit to the scenes of my 
early days. On the way we visited relatives at Ottawa, 
111., and Dowagiac, Mich., and brother Marquis and 
family at Conneaut, Ohio ; also visited brother Velette 
and Buren at Worcester, Mass. , with their famiUes, and 
some old acquaintances. 

From there we went to Vermont and spent most of the 
summer there with relatives, a larger portion with my 
mother and sisters, Eliza and Susan at Felchville, and 
brother Alstyne, at Springfield. I had been away from 
Vermont 23 years in Iowa. 

While on this visit, I married on Aug. 9, Mrs. M. A. 
Braman, widow of James Braman, late of West Windsor, 
Vt. 

About Aug. 20th, we started for our home in Iowa, 
and visited friends on the way. While from home that 
summer Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Robinson lived in our house 
and farmed most of the land. 

I continued farming and in 1880 I enlarged my barn 
by raising it and putting under it a basement for stables. 

In Nov. 1 88 1, my wife had a cancer removed from 
her breast which weighed about one and three-fourths 



47 

pounds, and as hard as a stone. In March 1882, the 
gland under her arm was as large as a hickory nut and 
we had it removed, also five small tumors that had grown 
on the spot where the large tumor had been taken off. 

This year 1882, the railroad was built past my place. 
The last of Apr., 1883, in company with my wife, we 
went to Bridgewater, Vt. , as she wished to see her 
mother and brother and sister once more, as it was 
evident that she could not recover. She continued to 
fail until she passed away Sept. 24, 1884. In Feb. 
1884, my mother died at Felchville, Vt. , at the ripe old 
age of 89 years and 6 months, and I was at her funeral. 
I remained in Vermont until December, when I started 
west visiting on the way. On arriving at Chicago, my 
son, Frank, and I went to New Orleans and attended 
the Exposition. 

On Dec. 30, at 4 P. M. we started on a steamer down 
the river to its mouth, no miles below the city, at Port 
Eads, where he built the Jetties to clear the mouth of the 
river for deep navigation ; we arrived there at 4 A. M. , 
the 31st. We started back at 8 A. M. It was like a 
lovely spring morning. 

On our return trip we had a fine view of the country 
which was very low, not but a few feet above the river. 
This was a great rice and sugar cane country, and we 
saw large orange orchards as we got further up the river. 
We stopped a short time at a large sugar factory to give 
the passengers a chance to visit it. There were 80 of 
us. There we saw immense rollers grinding cane, and 
then boiling the juice down to sugar. That P. M. it 



48 

turned very cold in an instant, most of us were up on 
the hurricane deck, and such haste to get their over- 
coats on, and to get down into the cabin, was amusing 
to see. 

We landed that evening at New Orleans and Frank 
and I remained on the boat over night, and in the 
morning, Jan. ist, 1885, when we went into the city 
there was ice in the gutters beside the streets. 

While in the city we visited a niece of mine, Mrs. 
Jennie Truslow, my brother Alfred's daughter. This 
was her second marriage ; she had one daughter, Edna, 
by her first husband. She was with her. 

We visited the U. S. Mint and saw them coining 
silver. The Exposition was good and well worth 
attending. 

On our return trip to Chicago our sleeper was full, 
two in every berth, and a nice class of people. We all 
had our lunch baskets and the parties furnished us with 
tea and coffee, so we fared nicely ; we were all through 
passengers. 

On returning to Chicago I remained at son George's 
about six weeks, taking in the sights. 

On leaving there I stopped at Ottawa, 111., and 
visited three families of cousins, and arrived at home 
in early spring. 

As my farm was rented I went to my daughter's, Mrs. 
D. A. Meacham, who were living on Levi Stebbin's 
farm, and remained there through the summer, and put 
in some of my time selling steam cookers for family 
food. 



49 

In the fall they moved to my home where I made them 
a home and they one for me. 

In the summer of 1886, I visited sister Bell Waterman 
at Minneola, Holt Co., Neb., remaining there two 
weeks. This was a fine country to look at, but a poor 
farming country, for there was too much sand and 
gravel. After the sod was rooted and cropped two or 
three years there was not hardly enough left to sod over 
again. Most of that country was abandoned within a 
few years, and now is a poor cattle range. 

From there I went to Centerville, South Dakota, and 
visited B. J. Barton and family. 

The fall of 1886, I started a general merchandise 
store on a small scale. I did this so as to have some- 
thing to take up my mind, as I was not able to do farm 
work. Trade was quite good, and very pleasant for me. 

In 1888 I made a general visit back to New England, 
visiting friends on the way going and coming. 

Memorial day at Clay, Iowa, May, 1889. The good 
people of Clay believe in the religious character of Memo- 
rial Day and held their decoration services at the church 
on Sunday, May 30. The services were largely attended 
and very impressive. 

Mrs. Hopkins of the W. C. T. U. , read the Memorial 
letter addressed to the old soldiers, which was responded 
to by myself as follows: 



50 
RESPONSE. 

' ' Ladies of the Women's Christian Temperance Union : 
We thank you for this greeting, and we are glad that we 
were loyal to our country and had the privilege to fight 
under the stars and stripes to preserve the unity of the 
Nation ; and every true patriot rejoices that we live under 
the best government in the world, and there is not a 
Nation but what respects our flag, wherever it may float 
on the breeze. 

While we have the honor of belonging to the host 
that went forth at our country's call, we claim that there 
is great honor to another class. You may ask who are 
they ? I answer that some of them are here today, and 
may be seen at any such gathering as this anywhere in 
our most beloved land. They were wives, mothers, sisters, 
and sweethearts of our brave defenders; they showed 
great patriotism by being willing to place their loved 
ones on our country's altar, passing through great pri- 
vations and hardships, feeling that they might never see 
their dear ones again. God only knows how many 
thousands there were that never did; and today many 
know not of their final resting place. What is this but 
heroism, kind mothers, wives and sisters. 

Today another war is raging which you are engaged 
in. It is the war against King Alcohol, under the white 
banner of total abstinence. We love our homes and 
comrades, and we will join with you to drive this soul 
and body destroyer from our land. During the past 
twenty years our ranks have been greatly thinned by our 
comrades passing over to the other shore, and it shows 
clearly that twenty years from now there will be but few 
of us left on this side of the shores of time. 

Teach the children that our liberties were bought with 
the price of blood, and always to honor and defend the 
Flag of Our Country, and above all things else to touch 



51 

not, taste not that which intoxicates, and obey God and 
keep his commands. 

We thank you most heartily for the floral offering you 
have prepared to place on the graves of our fallen com- 
rades. 

Children and friends: when you place these flowers on 
these individual graves, feel that you are doing it in 
honor to all that died to save our country. 

When we go forth to our homes from this sacred place, 
let us offer up a silent prayer that the day may soon 
come when men shall beat their swords into plow shares 
and their spears into pruning hooks, and nations shall 
not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn 
war any more." 



52 

CHAPTER V. 

In the summer of 1890 I took a trip to New England 
and while there I attended the National Encampment of 
the G. A. R.'s held at Boston. While there at the 
Encampment I stopped with my nephew, Henry E. 
Townsend. During the Encampment the Government 
had the following named war vessels anchored in the 
harbor: The Boston, Atlanta, Yorktown, Dolphin, Petrel, 
Vesuvius, Gushing, and the Kearsarge. The latter I 
had the pleasure of going on board and saw the guns that 
were used in sinking the Confederate Cruiser ' 'Alabama." 

In 1890, 1892, 1894, 1895, and 1896 I made a general 
visit East. Was away from home from six weeks to three 
months each. I went about the same rounds that I have 
heretofore given. 

In 1898 on my trip to New England I went via Wash- 
ington City and remained there several days, visiting the 
public buildings. I called on our Senator Gear as Con- 
gress was in session, also on Representative Clark from 
our district, and through him I secured the appointment 
of Dudley A. Meacham as Postmaster at Clay, Iowa. 
One P. M. I visited the gallery in the Senate Chamber, 
and then at the House of Representatives. A great 
change had taken place in the city since I was there in 
1865, as a soldier eating hard tack. Most of the streets 
I found paved and street cars running over the city. 
The new Congressional Library building was just mag- 
nificent, the nicest of any thing of the kind that I ever saw. 



53 

In 1900, on another journey East I visited my son 
Frank at Coshocton, Ohio, and from there to Conneaut, 
and stayed a few days with brother Marquis, and then 
we went in company on to Worcester, Mass., and 
visited with brother Velette and family a few days, when 
we three brothers went to Vermont, our native state, and 
met sister Ehza at her home at Felchville. She had never 
married. She and our niece, Minnie C. Fay, Hve 
together. We four are the only ones left of our large 
family. 

While there we had a family reunion. 

The following is the account of the reunion which I 
had published in the Vermont Standard, published 
at Woodstock. 

"The Townsend reunion at the home of Miss Eliza 
Townsend and niece, Minnie C. Fay, at Felchville, Vt., 
was a very unusual and pleasant gathering. The large 
family of the late Wm. Townsend have all passed away 
from the cares of this life except four who are all together 
at the old home. They had not all been together before 
for thirty-nine years but had seen each other. Their 
names, ages and residences are given below. This being 
in 1900, Miss Eliza Townsend, Felchville, Vt. , nearly 
79 years; F. T. Townsend, Clay, Iowa, 71 years; V. P. 
Townsend, Worcester, Mass., 68 years; M. D. Townsend 
Conneaut, Ohio, 64 years. The following Townsends, 
relatives and friends, are those that met with them June 
21, Mrs. Aurelia Townsend, Springfield, Vt. , sister-in- 
law; Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Bovven, Springfield, Vt., nephew 
and niece; Mrs. M. J. Archer, Salem, Mass., cousin; 
Stephen Townsend, wife and two children and sister, 
Woodstock, Vt., cousins; Miss Minnie C. Fay, Felch- 
ville, Vt. , niece; Mrs. Esther Hewlett, Felchville; Miss 
Brooks, Salem, Mass. ; and Mrs. Margaret Jenkins, Som- 
erville, Mass., friends. 



54 

One day last week the three brothers and sister drove 
to the north part of the town and took their dinner with 
them, eating it while sitting upon the stone steps of the 
house where they were all born. Miss Minnie C. Fay, 
their niece, accompanied them. 

The old house was taken down many years ago, and a 
poplar tree about i8 inches in diameter has grown up 
where the front entry was situated." 

This year 1900 on my return West, I attended the 
National G. A. R. Encampment at Chicago. I was not 
able to march in the parade. I remained at George's 
a week or so to make out my visit. 

Soon after arriving at home I went to Keokuk and 
attended our Brigade Association meeting, which was 
very pleasant to meet so many of our comrades. 

In June 1901, I visited my son Frank and wife at 
Coshocton, Ohio, to recruit up after a three months 
sickness through the previous winter. I was there 
seven weeks. From that day to this I have never 
regained my former health. ■ 

I gave brother Marquis at Columbus, Ohio, a short 
visit, going and returning. He was visitors' attendant at 
the State House, but now has a position in the Adjutant 
General's Office with better pay. 

I came home much improved in health. 

After a few days at home I went to Kansas City, and 
visited Myron Waterman, my sister Bell's son. He was 
cashier of the State Savings Bank, I remained there 
about ten days, called on other friends. One day I 
went to Leavenworth on trolley cars and visited the 
soldiers' home and the army grounds at the Fort, and 



55 

the U. S. Prison, and returned the same day to Myron's. 
I stayed one night with Preston Woodmancy, an old 
acquaintance from Iowa. Sep. 24, in the morning, I 
left for Mapleton, Kansas, where I arrived at 8 P. M., 
two hours behind time. Brother Henry Waterman met 
me at the train. He was my late sister Bell's husband ; 
he was married again. I remained with them until 
Oct. 3rd. 

I did not like Kansas as well as Iowa — too many 
stones and poor water. 

On my return trip, I stopped off at Albia, Iowa, and 
went West on the C. B. & Q. R. R. to College Springs, 
Page Co., Iowa, and visited my brother-in-law, Levi 
Stebbins, remaining with them ten days. College 
Springs is built on very rolling ground, and streets one 
hundred feet wide. It is a good farming country out 
from the town. They have a very prosperous College 
there. 

On my return I stopped at Chariton, a few hours and 
called on Edd Brown, a shoe dealer there, an old 
acquaintance of mine. From there I went to Indianola ; 
arrived there at 6.15 P. M., Oct. 15th. Mr. Stanley, 
an old neighbor of mine, met me at the train. Mrs. 
Barton, Mr. Stanley's sister, was there: she was at one 
time a near neighbor of mine ; she had buried her 
husband the year before. I remained with them until 
the 1 8th and had a very pleasant visit. From there I 
went via Des Moines to Newton, where I visited with 
Rev. R. F. Lavender, one of our former pastors. I 
left there Oct. 21st, and arrived at home at 1.15 P. M. 
On this trip to Kansas I traveled 1244 miles by rail. 



56 

On Jan. 20th, 1902, the Congregational Church at 
Clay, voted to build a new church building, and I was 
made one of the building Committees, and they chose 
me as their secretary, and general superintendent of its 
construction, — that was to watch that everything was 
done according to contract. I made the floor, or ground 
plan of the church, and suggested how the general plan 
of the rest should be built, but we employed an architect 
to finish up the plans and make specifications. 

We raised in cash $3,644 and donated work in 
teaming, drawing stone, sand, lime and lumber, and 
digging out for basement and foundation, which was 
worth $350, making the total cost about $4,000. I 
wrote and called on people abroad and received $690, 
counted in the above sum. The people called me a 
professional beggar. During the year my whole time 
was devoted to this work of building the church. 

Every cent of our subscription was paid in, and we 
had the church dedicated Oct. 16, entirely free from 
debt and $1.31 left in the hands of our Treasurer, which 
was turned into the contingent fund. 

During the year I wrote 392 letters. 

The last of September I was taken down sick with 
dysentery, and confined to my bed for eight days, but 
improved so that I attended the dedication. We have 
the finest country church in the state of Iowa, so said 
Secretary Douglas of the Iowa Home Missionary 
Society. 

I am a member of the Crockers, Iowa, Brigade 
Association. We have our meetings once in two years ; 



57 

are held two days. I have attended a part of them, as 
follows : Davenport, 1887 ; Des Moines, 1891 ; Ottumwa, 
1894. We made it three years between our meetings at 
Des Moines and Ottumwa on account of the World's 
Fair at Chicago in 1893, next at Marshalltown 1896, 
Jefierson 1898, Keokuk 1900. I have attended the G. 
A. R. National Encampment at Boston 1890, St. Paul 
1897, Chicago 1900, and one State Encampment at 
Marshalltown 1897. 

During the winter of i902-'o3 my health was very 
poor, am feeling the effect of age, it seems as though 
sooner than I ought to. In the course of my life I have 
traveled in thirty-one states of the Union and three 
different routes through Canada. I have traveled on all 
of our large Lakes except Lake Superior. I have 
traveled several hundred miles on the Mississippi, Ohio, 
St. Lawrence and Red Rivers. 

In all of my travels I have seen a great variety of 
country, some beautiful country for farming, and some 
that was not much account only to hold the world 
together. Mountain scenery is splendid to feast the 
eye on, but poor for farming. 

Following is a few lines that I wrote and sent to Dr. 
and Mrs. R. N. Hall many years ago on the death of 
their only daughter, in Chicago. Mrs. Hall is a sister of 
Mrs. George B. Townsend. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were 
raised in Clay, Iowa, where they have hosts of relatives 
and friends. 

' ' Birdie dear, thou art at rest ; 
Never more to meet us here, 
Jesus, Our Saviour knowest best, 
But we shed a sympathizing tear. 

Father and Mother thy hand we take. 
And the Brothers we do the same ; 
And say we know thy loss is great ; 
For Succor trust in Jesus' name." 



58 

A PARODY, 

"The Boy Stood On The Burning Deck," 

Which we got up for an advertisement for our store 
in 1887. 

The boy stood on the burning deck. 
When all had fled but he. 
And shouting to the fleeing crowd 
Townsend's bargains go and see. 

As he heard the roaring sound, 

As it burned beneath the floor, 

He said ; "See prices at Townsend's now 

Or you' 11 regret it ever more. ' ' 

As the flames came leaping thro' 
The cracks beneath his feet. 
He shouted still the louder, 
"Townsend's prices can't be beat." 

As the fire came creeping on, 
There stood the gallant lad ; 
And told of bargains he had got 
At Townsend's with his dad. 

He shouts ! "Their nails, bolts and screws 
With coffee, sugar, spices and tea. 
Prints, ginghams, muslins, boots and shoes 
Young and old don't fail to see." 

And though the heat was intense. 
The boy seemed to shiver ; 
For fear you might the bargains miss. 
He jumped into the river 

Clay, Iowa is the place, 
F. T. Townsend & Co. are the men. 
That will sell you goods as cheap 
As other dealers can. 



59 

The two years previous to my first marriage I boarded 
in the family of E. S. Stebbins and their Httle daughter 
Mary, was with me much of the time. She was a Hvely 
child and full of fun and quite original in her sayings, in 
such a way that we used to call her Topsy. After she 
had grown up and was married and lived in Dowagiac, 
Mich., I visited her in 1877 in company with my 
daughter Hattie, on our way to Vermont and she 
requested me to write in her Album, in which I wrote 
as follows : 

Mary my ever loving niece. 
When you in childish, mirthful glee, 
With me in happiness and peace, 
Have often had a laughing spree. 

When you in joyous, youthful sport, 
Did often in the garden go. 
Where I was busy at my work, 
Your tuneful notes did sweetly flow. 

But now to womanhood you have come. 
Your Topsy freaks they say are past, 
And thoughtful too you now have grown. 
But still I fear you' re living fast. 

And now dear Mary do be wise. 
And to the Saviour give your heart. 
That he may fit it for the skies, 
When you this lieeting life depart. 

On June 23, 1903, I left home in Clay, Iowa, for a 
three months' visit in New England and other places on 
the road. I went direct through to Worcester, Mass. , 
on account of my brother Vellette being very sick, but 
on my arrival there I found him more comfortable. 



6o 

After remaining there a week I went to Vermont and 
visited my sister Eliza (who was 82 years of age) and 
Minnie C. Fay as they live together, and many other 
relatives and friends, and had a very pleasant time. 

The weather was very cool for summer. Aug. 5th, I 
went back to Worcester from Vermont. While in 
Worcester I went to Boston and visited a nephew, 
Robert Elmer Townsend, and remained with him over 
night. While there I went to the New England 
Historical Genealogical Society rooms to find further 
records of the Townsends which I have placed in the 
fore part of this book. I found direct lineage back to 
1066. 

After spending two days in Boston I returned to 
Worcester over the new Electric road, which was a very 
pleasant trip ; could see more of the country than we 
could on the steam road. Brother Velette was at 
times quite comfortable but was gradually failing ; was 
as patient as a lamb, never complained. He had sufTered 
so long, that he longed to go and be at rest. He was a 
noble man and made hosts of friends. He passed away 
the following December. When he went it was a great 
loss to his family, and to the church. He lived an 
honest, true Christian life, and has gone to his reward. 
By his request he was cremated. 

I left Worcester, Aug. 14th, and at noon of the 15th 
I arrived at Coshocton, Ohio, to visit son Frank and 
wife. I remained there until Aug. 24th, when I went to 
Columbus to make brother Marquis and wife a visit. 



6i 

Columbus is a large and beautiful city doing an immense 
business and is growing. Most of the State Institutions 
are located in and around the city. 

On the morning of Aug. 27th, I left here for 
Dowagiac, Mich. , and arrived there at 7 :30 P. M. We 
passed through a beautiful farming country most all the 
way, and through many large towns. Here I visited 
Mrs. Kate Wing and her sister, Mrs. Mary McMaster, 
nieces of mine. 

I went to Chicago Aug. 31, and stopped with son 
George and family until Sept. 7th, when I went to 
Ottawa, 111., and visited with several cousins there until 
Sept. 12, when I left for home, and arrived there at 9:30 
P. M. same day. Myra Townsend, a niece of mine, 
from Ottawa, 111., came home with me for a week's visit. 

On Sept. 15 and 16, we had at our church a meeting 
of the Association of the Congregational Churches of 
south-eastern Iowa. We had a good meeting, with able 
speakers which was very instructive. There were present 
nine ministers from abroad. 



62 



CHAPTER VI. 



In searching for the Townsend Genealogy it came to 
my mind that as my grandfather, Thomas Townsend, 
was in the battle of Lexington, I had a desire to know 
certain whether he continued in the army through the 
war of the Revolution. Therefore I wrote to the Record 
and Pension office War Department to find out. Their 
reply was that he was as late as Apr. 1777, but they 
could find no record of his discharge, probably because 
part of the records were destroyed by fire in 18 12. 
Daniel Townsend, a brother of my grandfather, was 
killed at the battle of Lexington, as heretofore stated. 

There was another Daniel Townsend with them in the 
army, who died July 23, 1777, supposed to be a cousin 
of my grandfather. 

Thomas, Daniel, John and David were quite common 
names among the Townsends in this country as well as 
in England. 

On Oct. 12, 1903, I went to Des Moines to attend the 
Anti-Saloon League Convention, as a delegate from our 
church. There was a large and interesting meeting with 
380 delegates enrolled, the largest of any Iowa Temper- 
ance Convention, for many years. Great addresses by 
National Superintendent H. H. Russell, Rev. B. A. 
Baker, State Supt. of Ohio, and other noted speakers. 

The Convention continued two days. After its close 
I went to Indianola to visit old friends, Mr. and Mrs. W. 
N. Stanley ; I remained there two days, and from there 



63 

on my way home I stopped at Newton over night with 
Rev. R. F. Lavender and family, a former pastor of 
ours. I arrived at home the 17th. 

On Oct. 28, I wrote the following article which was 
published in the Brighton News the week before our 
State Election which was Nov. 3, 1903: 

THE LIQUOR SALOON. 

Kind reader, let us reason together. Without preface 
I will come right to the point. Why do we have the 
cursed saloon in Iowa? Because the iron heel of the 
Monster has been on the leaders of the political parties, 
and the voters have not had moral courage enough to 
remonstrate against it. 

Who destroys the reason of his fellow men? The 
saloon keeper. Who takes money from the drunkard 
that should go to buy bread for his family? The saloon 
keeper. Who is filling our alms-houses with paupers ? 
The saloon keeper. Who is filling our jails and prisons 
with criminals ? The saloon keeper. Who causes more 
murders than the saloon keeper? No one. Who is 
making our court expenses so very great ? The saloon 
keeper. What is the greatest question to day ? Some 
say one thing, and another says something else ; but I 
claim that the Liquor trafilic is the most important of 
anything now before the public. 

Kind readers, stop and think what a curse the saloon 
is to our grand state of Iowa. Look at the many 
thousand voters in the state and think how they are 
led by the nose by twelve hundred saloon keepers who 
dominate the two leading parties in the state. Oh ! 
shame, shame, to let such Demons govern our state. 
Let us as sane men, irrespective of party, elect and send 
to our legislature such men as will pledge themselves to 
do all in their power to close every saloon in Iowa. If 



64 

the mulct law was fully enforced it would close every 
saloon for they are violating that law. 

Mayors of our large cities are violating their oath of 
office every day by not enforcing the laws. What 
cowards there have been in the parties, not daring to put 
a word in their platforms about the saloon. 

The man that will vote for a license is guilty with the 
saloon keeper. 

Look down deep in your heart and vote as your 
conscience dictates. 

Take the tempter away from your weak neighbor, and 
help him to become a sober man. 



Jan. 1 8, 1904. Another year has dawned upon us, 
how fast time passes, days come and go, carrying us on 
so much nearer to the end of our earthly career. It 
should admonish us so to live that we may be prepared 
to go when we are called to lay down our earthly life for 
the spiritual. In looking over my past life I regret very 
much that I had not done more to have helped others to 
arise above the sins of the world and that I myself had 
not lived a more devoted follower ot my Divine Master. 

During the past year my health has been very good 
for one of my age. I have been greatly blessed. 

There has been joy, also sadness by the departure of 
brother Velette to the better land. We cannot ask to 
have him back here to suffer any more. 

Tomorrow, Jan. 19, I have planned to start on a visit- 
ing journey to Louisiana and Texas among my many 
relatives, the widows of brothers Alfred and William and 
their many children and grandchildren. 



65 

I have made the trip and arrived at home June 4, 1904, 
from my southern journey. Was absent from home four 
and one-half months, and kept in my usual health all the 
time. 

The following letters describing my journey south were 
published in the ' ' Brighton News : ' ' 

(Letter No. i) Olive Branch, La. 

Dear News: 

On Jan. 19, 1904, I left my home on the morning 
Express which was one and one-half hours late, and kept 
losing time all the way to Peoria, 111., which made it too 
late for me to take the 2 P. M. train on the Illinois Cen- 
tral as I had intended. 

It was growing warmer when I left home and before 
night the snow was almost gone. After getting a few 
miles from Skunk River (which we crossed about fifteen 
miles from home) we came into a fine farming country 
which extended most of the way to Peoria. We passed 
through many very flourishing towns. We left Peoria 
at 6:50 P. M. and arrived at Matoon at 10:30, where I 
remained until morning. 

From Matoon to Carbondale was a very flat country. 
Before reaching the latter place I could see that the soil 
was poorer and but little corn was raised, but we found 
many large apple and peach orchards which looked fine. 
After passing Carbondale we struck a rough country and 
very rocky and came into a valley with quite a stream, 
along the course of which were many high perpendicular 
ledges. In this valley there were many flourishing towns 
and many coal mines. 



66 

For several miles before reaching Cairo we were in a 
rolling prairie country. As we entered the suburbs of 
Cairo we passed under the end of the high bridge that 
crosses the Ohio river, going into the city about a mile 
we stopped for dinner. On starting we went on down 
the river but up grade on a circle bearing to the right 
for a few miles until we reached the elevation at the end 
of the approach on the Illinois end of the bridge. The 
approaches of iron and steel and the main bridge are a 
little over four miles long. When building they sunk 
thirteen caissons eighty feet below the bed of the river 
and filled them with concrete where the stone piers were 
placed which were fifty-three feet above the highest water 
known. It took two years to build it, and it cost four 
million dollars. A part of Cairo has been filled in and 
raised above high water mark. At this place some were 
planting potatoes. 



(Southern Letter No 2) 

Olive Branch, La., Feb. 8, 1904. 

After crossing the Ohio River at Cairo we passed 
through the low lands covered with timber for many 
miles, with an occasional clearing with a cabin. We 
were gradually leaving the Mississippi River to the west 
of us and were getting into a better farming country with 
cotton as their principal crop. 

We changed cars at Fulton, Ky. , where the road comes 
in from Louisville; here one division going direct south 
for New Orleans, the other, the river division, which we 
took via Memphis. 

From Fulton to Memphis is a rolling country which 
looked quite prosperous, but the buildings began to show 



67 

the want of northern enterprise, or it was because they 
did not need as good buildings in this warmer climate. 

The negro quarters were small and of a cheap kind, 
about 1 6 feet square, with a porch in front (which they 
call gallery), and a lean-to on the back side. That 
describes the average of the negro quarters in general in 
the south, but reaching Louisiana you seldom see a glass 
window in their houses. They have openings with board 
shutters; when they want light they open the door or 
shutters. 

From Fulton to Memphis they were grading for double 
track which necessitated running very slow at times. We 
arrived at Memphis at 7 130 P. M. , where I remained over 
night, and next morning we took a daylight train for 
Vicksburg. 

This is through the great deltas and cotton belt of 
Mississippi. This whole country was all under water a 
few years ago, when many lives were lost and much prop- 
erty destroyed. The soil through this delta is very rich. 
They have plenty of timber. 

There is but very little corn raised — it is cotton, cotton, 
as far as you can see to the right and to the left. 

The price of cotton is now higher than at any time 
since the war. Speculators are not making all the money 
on the high price. Those that still hold cotton now get 
15 cts. per lb. Throughout Mississippi, there was only 
about half a crop, on account of the severe dry weather — 
that is one cause for the high priced cotton. 

At all the stations in Mississippi, there was always a 
large crowd standing about with about one white man to 
every eight or ten negroes. This leaves me at Vicksburg. 



68 



(Southern Letter No. 3) 

Olive Branch, La., Feb. 15, 1904. 

Before taking up the chain of my journey from 
Vicksburg, I wish to say that as you may look at the R. 
R. Guide you will see that the stations are very near 
together, some only one mile apart and a large portion 
not more than three or four, especially on the river 
division called the Miss. & Yazoo Valley Ry. The 
reason is that most of the large planters have a cotton 
gin and press, and have a general store to supply their 
hired help and renters. They will get a Post Ofifice 
established and have themselves appointed P. M. and 
then the R. R. Co. will make a flag station, generally 
nothing but a platform, using the planter's store for a 
depot. You will pass many of these stations before you 
come to what you would call a town. 

I regret that I cannot give you a description of 
Vicksburg, for while I was there they were having a 
regular downpour of rain. I was told that our Govern- 
ment had a fine cemetery a little north of the city. 

After leaving the city we began to bear away from the 
river into a rolling country with lots of timber, inter- 
spersed with plantations. 

I left the main line at Ethal, La., and went on a short 
branch of eight miles to Clinton. We passed through a 
very poor country for farming, a large portion of it being 
rough and covered with small pine trees ; the soil has a 
reddish cast. North and east of Clinton are large tracks 
of heavy pine timber ; there they have large steam saw 
mills and one at Clinton, and here they have a large 
cotton seed oil mill and do a very large business. The 
oil meal is sold for stock food and for fertilizing their 
soil. 



69 

Clinton is an old town, the court house being built 
in 1 8 19. The railroad was built in here from Port 
Hudson in an early day, among the first built in the 
country. 

When the Valley R. R. was built about twenty years 
ago they bought this road and retained that portion from 
Ethal to Clinton as a branch, and abandoned that to 
Port Hudson as the river had changed its course and 
Port Hudson was no longer a boat landing, but built a 
road to Bayou Sara above Port Hudson. 

I came from Clinton to this place (Olive Branch) in a 
private conveyance, a distance of ten miles to where I 
am now stopping. If there was no timber you would 
call this a slightly rolling prairie. Timber and farm land 
I should judge were about equal. I have been several 
miles east of here into the great pine timber belt of 
mostly hard pine. 

In this vicinity there is more pine than all other kinds 
put together. They have several kinds of oak, beech, 
gum, cypress, magnolia, cedar and ash. It is about as 
uncertain to raise peaches here as it is in Iowa, for they 
get started in February and quite often they have a cold 
spell in March which kills them ; often they are as large 
as hickory nuts ; they are now in bloom Feb. 8, which 
is too early for them to do well. The principal crop 
here is cotton, but they have to use fertilizers in order to 
get a fair crop. Timothy, clover and blue grass do not 
do well here. They have crab and Bermuda grass but it 
makes poor meadow or pasture. They put up but little 
hay, just enough for their work team ; let their other 
stock rough it, and they show it. Their cattle are a 
mixed stock of scrub, or native and Jerseys. Horses 
and mules look as if a little more grain would help 
them. They try to raise corn enough for their work 
teams and three or four hogs ; they still buy lots of meat 
from the north. 



70 

You hear of the "sunny south;" sometimes it is, and 
sometimes it is not. To day it is sunny and I am writ- 
ing on a south porch and plenty warm. 

I will tell a litde about my first week's experience here, 
the last week in January. The kitchen and dining room 
are in a separate building from the main house, connected 
with a porch. They are cheaply made, some like our 
northern summer kitchens. A few mornings during that 
week, I wore my overcoat while eating my breakfast, in 
order to keep warm, at the same time the women had on 
their shawls and something on their heads ; they eat 
there the year round with no fire. How is that for the 
' ' sunny south?' ' In my next I will try and tell of the 
people both black and white. 



71 



CHAPTER VII. 



(Southern Letter No. 4) 

Olive Branch, La., Feb. 22, 1904. 
The white man in the south has learned to work 
since the war, as he has no slaves to do it for him. As 
a general thing they have not the energy that a northern 
man has, probably on account of the debilitating effect 
of the climate. They have good schools, and when their 
children are through the common school, those having 
money enough send them to higher schools in the 
large towns. 

There is a great difference here among the people the 
same as in the north. Those who were called poor white 
trash fifty years ago, are the same to day, and all they 
care for is to get enough to keep the soul and body together 
live in an old shack of a house and have a little truck patch, 
have more dogs than hogs, and spend most of their time 
fishing and hunting : they are ignorant, cannot read or 
write, and care nothing about educating their children. 

Many of the large plantations have been divided up 
into one and two hundred acre farms, and owned by the 
better class of whites, and occasionally by a black man, 
and what they cannot cultivate they rent to the negro, 
buildacheap house for him to live in, and work for ashareof 
the crop, which is cotton. The planter as a general rule 
furnishes team and tools to work with. 

I had the pleasure of meeting a southern lady who 
knowing that I was a northern man, commenced telling 
me about war times and some of her experiences. She 
said that she and her husband owned several slaves and 
she was brought up in idleness, not having to do as 



72 

much as to comb her own hair or make up a bed, and 
knew nothing about cooking. One morning soon after 
the slaves learned that they were free, they were not to 
be found, and she was in a fix, what to do for breakfast. 
The fact stared them in the face that they would have to 
go hungry or get it themselves ; the husband thought 
that he could fry some meat as he had seen the slaves 
do it, and would try his hand at making coffee. For 
biscuit, between them they stirred up some flour with 
many ingredients, which when eaten, she would not 
undertake to tell how long it would take for it to digest. 
They persevered and finally got so they could get a good 
meal. Some of the time they were surrounded by the 
Confederates and some times by Yanks, but said the 
Confederates were the worse to steal, as they were 
shorter of rations. At times they boarded Union officers, 
who paid them well in greenbacks. Her husband was a 
Methodist minister, and in poor health, so he escaped 
having to enter the army, but was chaplin for a while 
when the army was in camp near their home. This part 
of the state was fought over several times, first held by 
one army and then by the other. She said she was glad 
the war terminated as it did, but she thought that they 
should have been paid for the ' ' niggers. ' ' Their clothes 
began to wear out and they could not buy new ones, so 
they were in a fix again. She and her mother made 
cotton rolls with hand cards and spun them into yarn 
and wove it into cloth on an old hand loom ; sometimes 
they mixed a little home grown wool with the cotton. 

It was nip and tuck for a long time after the war, and 
people here told me that they are only now just getting 
over the effects of it. No one but themselves know how 
much they suffered. The farm houses as a general 
thing are built cheap and very plain and unpainted, and 
heated by fire places, and mostly ceiled with hard pine; the 
dining room and kitchen are in a separate building, 



73 

merely boarded up and down with battens, with a porch 
between the buildings, and no way to heat the dining 
room. I have seen some houses with no ceiling inside 
and some of the battens gone. Such places are not fit 
to live in, even in this climate, for they have some hard 
freezes. 

Now a word about the negro. There is about three 
or four blacks to one white man. As a general rule the 
black man is of little account. It is very difficult to hire 
one by the day or by the month ; they want to be their 
own boss, like a white man, as he is a free man. During 
the winter they do but little. During the summer they 
will raise a piece of cotton on the shares ; they get 
one-half. It generally takes a good share if not all of 
that to pay for the supplies the planter has let him have 
while he was raising the crop. If the crops are de- 
stroyed by any cause the planter loses the rent of the 
land, and all he has furnished the negro, for he has 
nothing. I see negroes here every day who are eating 
up their next summer crop before it is planted. What 
would an Iowa man think to be obliged to rent to such 
people. 

A darkey the other day when asked to work for a 
white man, said it was most too cold to work, and it was 
eight degrees above freezing, but he finally went, but 
had his ears tied up. 

Once in a while you find one that owns a horse or a 
mule, and some last fall, owing to the high price of 
cotton, had something left out of their last year's work, 
but instead of keeping it to live on they must rush off to 
town and buy a top buggy, and eat up their next year's 
crop before they get it. Some will run in debt for one 
if they can, and give security on next summer's crop. 
They are for having a good time today and let tomorrow 
take care of itself. 



74 

It is estimated that about one in forty or fifty have 
saved enough to own their farms and farm implements 
and some Hve stock, with size of farm from 40 to 200 
acres. The white man and the colored man work side 
by side on the farm, and also in the trades in the towns 
and all draw the same wages. In the country you see 
but very few mixed blood, they are very black, but in 
the towns you see them of all shades from very black 
down to a shade that is difficult to trace any negro 
blood. 

The law of this state is that a man, white or black, to 
be entitled to vote must be able to read or write or to 
own three hundred dollars' worth of property. If he has 
that amount of property and cannot read or write he can 
have some one to fill out his ticket for him. Many of 
the whites are deprived the privilege of voting as well as 
the black man. They have separate schools for blacks 
and whites, also churches ; but occasionally you find a 
church with a few seats in one corner for the negro. 
Most of the R. R. Stations have separate waiting rooms 
for the two races, and a Jim Crow car for the negro. 
As a mass they do not want social equality ; they rather 
be by themselves. I was told that at a negro sociable 
not far from where I was, that some white ladies went, 
but had not been there very long before one of those 
high headed negro women came along near them and 
made the remark that, she wished that the white women 
would leave the house, for the colored ladies could not 
stand their odor. A man with only about one-fourth 
negro blood thinks he is as good as a white man ; but 
he has to be classed with the black man. I have seen 
one mulatto who will have nothing to do with the negro, 
more than a white man does. 



75 

This race problem is a great question. I have talked 
with many Ex. Confederate soldiers that fought for four 
years who said that they are glad that the war terminated 
as it did. One of them said he entered the army when 
sixteen years of age contrary to his father's will, who 
voted against secession ; but he was carried away by his 
companions, not realizing anything what he was going 
to fight for. Since he became of age he has been a 
Republican in National issues ; but for Louisiana laws 
he has been a Democrat as he did not want the ignorant 
black or white man to make the laws. He said ' ' that 
the God of Heaven decreed before the war that this 
country should not be divided, and that the slave should 
be made free, and it was done, notwithstanding I fought 
four years against it." This man said that President 
McKinley was the best President we ever had, and that 
he was a Roosevelt man all through. 

One day an old ex-slave woman said to me, "Mr. 
Townsend I don't see what de good Lord freed de nigger 
for, for dare is lots more murder among de niggers now 
dan dare was before de war, den da had something to do 
instead of laying around and studying up debilment and 
murdering one a nudder as da do today, but de Lord 
knowed best bout it. Dese are no count niggers dat 
heb growed up since de War. ' ' 



76 



CHAPTEB Vin. 



(Southern Letter No. 5) 

Austin, Texas, March 21st. 
I left Olive Branch, La., for the railroad to resume 
my journey south, it still being in the cotton country, 
until we reached Baton Rouge, the Capital of the state, 
which was situated on high ground next to the Mississippi 
River with a fine state house, with no dome but towers 
like some English castle. 

After passing Baton Rouge we came into the sugar 
and rice country. The rice fields are flooded by the use 
of large pumping works that pump water from the Mis- 
sissippi river in large pipes over the levees. The sugar 
plantations are drained by open ditches once in about ten 
rods, the water flowing back to the cypress swamps and 
from there into Lake Ponchetrain, which also receives 
the drainage from New Orleans. The outlet of the lake 
into the gulf is east of New Orleans, where small boats 
and sailing vessels come up into the lake and enter the city 
by a canal made for the purpose. All large coasting and 
ocean vessels have to come up the Mississippi river. 
River traffic is falling off on account of so many railroads 
being built near the river. Ocean traffic is increasing. 

The sugar plantations look fine ; the rows of cane I 
should think were from one to two miles long. The help 
all live in a village adjoining the headquarters and sugar 
mills. At some places I counted from forty to sixty 
houses, all made alike and painted white or white-washed 
which made it look very inviting. As it had rained a 
day or two before I came through, the teams could not 



77 

be used in the fields and were loose in two or three acre 
fields ; in some I counted as high as one hundred mules. 
At many places I saw from forty to fifty men and women 
hoeing cane, which was about a foot high. At some 
places the boss or driver rode a horse, the same as old 
slavery days. 

At Lutcher, I visited a mammoth steam sawmill, where 
they saw upwards of 200,000 feet of lumber in a day of 
twenty-four hours, as they run night and day. They 
used band saws large enough for the largest logs. One 
man operating a lever that controls a machine which will 
roll a log onto the carriage in three or four seconds, 
and men riding on the carriage fastens it in an instant, 
and it moves towards the saw and the slab is off in an 
incredible short time. As soon as the carriage runs 
back, the same machine that loaded the log turns it with 
flat side down, or against the standards in less time than 
you can write Jack Robin. Over one-half of this lumber 
is cypress. 

When arriving in New Orleans I found that the city 
had improved wonderfully since I was there nineteen 
years ago. Where there was a large vacant place 
between the city and the Exposition buildings, is now 
all built up with fine residences. Where the Exposition 
buildings were, is now Audibon Park. A year or two 
after the Exposition the owner of the plantation donated 
to the city about 500 acres of land for the park. The 
Agricultural hall was preserved and enlarged and is now 
filled with plants, tropical shrubs and trees, which makes 
a fine place to visit. The street car service is very fine. 
All lines center on Canal St. where you can change for 
any part of the city. Canal St. is about three or four 
times as wide as streets in general are. The south end 
of it is at the steamboat landing. Sewers are being 



78 

built and to connect to large cisterns and the contents 
will be pumped into Lake Ponchetrain. I remained in 
the city eleven days visiting relatives and taking in the 
sights of the city. 

I left the city Saturday Apr. 2, on steamer Electra 
bound for Shreveport, La. Capt. Charles Truslow 
president of Steamboat Co. gave me free passage. 
Capt. Truslow married a niece of mine. Passing up the 
Mississippi river we entered the Red river which is very 
crooked. At places we could see the banks of the river 
in another place about a quarter of a mile from us, and 
these bends would be from five to ten miles around to 
the place we had seen. The first one hundred miles the 
banks were covered with timber, but we began to see 
occasionally some farm houses with a small clearing. 
About where these settlements are is where the levees 
begin and extend up the river for about one hundred 
and fifty miles, then comes higher banks which the 
water never gets over. 

The country is very rich and level and they raise about 
double the amount of cotton on these lands without the 
use of fertilizer that they do on the uplands east of the 
Mississippi river where I spent two months. 

I rode in the pilot house most of the day time, so as 
to get a good view of the country. The pilots pointed 
out to me places where the Confederates had forts built 
to prevent Gen. Banks' gun-boats going up the river 
and at Alexandria where Banks had built coffer-dams on 
each side of the river to increase the depth of Avater in 
the center over the rapids, so that he could get his boats 
down the river on his retreat. At Colfax, Grant Co., 
we went up on Cane river forty miles to the head of 
navigation when we turned about, this being the only 
place where it was wide enough to turn in. We had 
two barges lashed, one on each side of the boat. About 



79 

two miles below this point they began to load these 
barges with cotton seed, and stopped at five places to 
complete the load which amounted to 280 tons, and in 
3677 sacks. Returning to Red river at Colfax they left 
one barge for New Orleans to be taken upon their return 
trip. We then started up stream and reached Lake End 
the next A. M. where there was a large cotton-seed oil 
mill where they unloaded the other barge and left it 
there. 

After leaving the barges we made faster speed as we 
went up the river to Shreveport where we landed 
Saturday morning, Apr. 9th. This ended my boat ride 
of 750 miles. 

Shreveport is a prosperous city, it being a great rail- 
road center, and lays on high rolling ground, and has 
fine street car service. 

I remained here about three hours when I took a train 
for Austin, Texas, arriving there next morning at 
4 o'clock. 

(Southern Letter No. 6) 

At home June loth, 1904. 
After arriving at home June 4th a few more words 
about my southern journey perhaps may not be out 
of place. The country from Shreveport, La., to Austin, 
Texas, was quite rough and much small timber. Most 
people here are turning their attention to fruit culture 
such as apples and peaches. The further you get into 
Texas the better you find the land. Austin, the capital, 
is a beautiful city laying high and dry on the bank of the 
Colorado river of Texas. It is very rolling and is all 
underlayed with rock and much of it is in sight and 
where covered, the dirt is from six inches to three or 
four feet deep. It has the name of being a healthy city; 
it ought to be if good drainage would make it so. It is 
not much of a manufacturing place but a fine residential 
place; here are many beautiful residences, and being 
so hilly it is very picturesque. 



8o 

They have fine schools, not to be surpassed in any- 
place. The State University is located here on a high 
piece of ground which makes it very pleasant, and it is 
very flourishing. The negro has the same advantage as 
the white man but in separate schools. There are two 
deaf and dumb Institutes here which I visited. The one 
for the whites is situated on the Bluff on the south side 
of the river where it can be seen from most any point in 
the city. It is surrounded with a beautiful park and 
play grounds. While I was there the Superintendent 
of the colored Institute, a colored man, died suddenly of 
heart disease and on the day of his funeral the Governor 
ordered all the ofifices in the State House closed out of 
respect to this man, and he and many state officers 
attended the funeral. The next week he appointed 
another colored man to take his place. This shows that 
a good honest educated negro is respected by the 
southern whites. 

It is very strange that so many of them have no 
ambition for an education, just eat, drink and be merry 
today and let tomorrow take care of itself. 

The state Insane Asylum is situated in the north-west 
part of the city, consists of several large buildings and 
located in a beautiful park. I had the pleasure of riding 
around the building and through the beautiful drives. 
Several times while I was there, passing the grounds, I 
saw the inmates out for exercise and they marched four 
by four in good military style with their attendants along 
each side to keep them in order. I was surprised to see 
that they kept so good a line. There were several 
hundred of them. 

The State Capitol building is built of Texas granite 
which was shipped in on the cars for about twenty miles. 
It is a very large and beautiful building. It took two 
years to build it, and no trouble with the workmen 
during that time and every thing was done to contract. 



8i 

It was built by a Chicago Company and they took wild 
land in Texas for pay at fifty cents per acre. The com- 
pany caused railroads to be built through their land, 
which advanced in price and they made a fortune by it. 

Texas is four and three-fourths times larger than the 
state of Iowa. 

While I was in Austin there was a negro captured in 
the city for an attempted assault, and murder of a young 
lady out in the country about eighteen miles; he cut her 
throat from ear to ear with a razor, he was frightened 
away by the approach of a team which stopped; the 
driver on seeing the lady's horse loose, hitched his horse 
and rushed into the bushes and found the lady as stated, 
who had her hands tied behind her and was gagged. 
The negro left his hat, coat and grip containing some 
clothing and his barber tools. In a short time there was 
three or four hundred men in search for him, but could 
not be found as the timber had a perfect thicket of under 
brush. They intended to burn him if caught, which he 
probably stood in fear of, and escaped to the city where 
he was caught. Immediately after he was safe in jail the 
Governor called out three companies of Infantry, one of 
Cavalry and one of Artillery. Before night their army 
tents were pitched on the Capitol grounds across the 
street from the jail and planted their Artillery. The 
Infantry cleared the streets around the block that con- 
tained, the court house and jail. It looked like war 
times The howling mob from the country concluded 
to let the law take its course. He was captured on 
Wednesday A. M. and that P. M. the Judge notified the 
Grand Jury to convene on Thursday A. M. and they 
found a bill against him, and on Friday he had his trial 
and was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and 
received his sentence and was hung the next Monday. 
If all courts would hasten such cases there would be less 
lynching in the country. 



82 

Soon after leaving Austin on my way north, we came 
out on a beautiful prairie which extended to the state 
line on the Red River, where we crossed into the Indian 
Territory, the southern part being poor land. It was 
rough and stony, but there was some beautiful country 
in spots up through this territory and much the same up 
through Oklahoma and Kansas. 

On our way up we crossed the Canadian river which 
I judged to be about one-fourth of a mile wide and no 
water in sight except a very few spots of a few feet square. 
The water runs through the sand except when they have 
heavy rains. The country near the river was sandy and 
we could see drifts of sand along by the fences, which 
reminded me of the snow drifts in the north. 

I came up over the Santa Fe R. R. from near Austin 
to Kansas City. On the way we passed through many 
flourishing towns. Kansas City is very hilly except the 
part beside the Caw river, the part that was drowned 
out in 1903. 

From there I went to Harvard, Neb. about 80 miles 
west of Lincoln. It is in a beautiful country, and the 
improvements indicated prosperity. I remained here 
with relatives ten days. 

From there I came back over the C. B. & Q. and 
stopped at College Springs in Page Co., Iowa, for a ten 
days' visit with Brother Levi Stebbins and wife. This 
town is on very rolling ground and laid out on a large 
scale, with two acre lots, and streets one hundred feet 
wide. The college here is small but quite flourishing. 

From the latter place I came home via Fairfield and 
arrived at home June 4th, 1904. I had been gone from 
home four and one-half months, and on this trip I 
traveled 4000 miles, costing me $88.04. ^^ this 
journey I kept in my usual health but very lame and 
have been for many years. 



83 



CHAPTER EX. 

Journey East. 

On July 27, 1904, at i P. M. I left home for a 
visiting trip to the East, and arrived at Columbus, Ohio, 
at 11:35 A. M., the 28th where brother Marquis met me 
at the train, and we went to his home and visited until 
Aug. I St when I went to Coshocton, Ohio, to visit son 
Frank and wife. On Aug. 13th, brother Marquis came 
up in the P. M. to spend Sunday with us. We had a 
very pleasant interview ; he returned to Columbus Sun- 
day evening. 

One day while here I took a ride with Dr. Marshall 
in his automobile; rode 19 miles in one hour. I enjoyed 
it very much. Last year Frank bought a fine residence 
with a very large lot and in his front yard he has an elm 
tree which spans seventy-five feet, which makes a 
splendid shade and it is a beautiful tree, and is admired 
by everyone that sees it. 

On Aug. 18, I left Coshocton at 9:30 A. M. for Wor- 
cester, Mass., and arrived there at 9:45 A. M. the 19th. 
While remaining here I visited sister Eliza J., and niece 
Mary, at brother Velette's old home, and at C. K. Steb- 
bins and family, a nephew of mine, and at his sister's 
home, Mrs. Anna Rice, also at Sam Austin's, an old 
friend of mine. 



84 

I left Worcester at 1 1 45 A. M. Aug. 24, for Spring- 
field, Vt. , where I arrived at 4 P. M. at Aurelia Town- 
send' s, a sister-in-law, brother Alstyne's widow. While 
there I visited her daughter, Mrs. Mary Bowen, and her 
husband ; also cousin Charles Keyes and wife, and Charles 
Forbush. 

Aug. 26 at I P. M. I took the stage for Felchville, 
where I arrived at 4:45 P. M., at my old home where 
resides sister Eliza and niece Minnie C. Fay. I found 
sister better than I had expected, as she had been sick. 
She was quite frail; she was about a month past her 83rd 
birthday. 

Aug. 29th I went to Norwich where I had lived from 
the time I was eight years old until I was twenty-one. 
While there I made a short visit with five of my 
relatives and nine old school-mates. The village there 
is a very quiet place and a very pleasant one; every- 
thing in the village is kept up in fine order, which makes 
it attractive. It is situated one mile from Dartmouth 
College at Hanover, N. H., on the east side of the 
Connecticut river. The railroad up the river is on the 
Vermont side. One of my old school teachers, she that 
was Miss Olive Wright, now Mrs. Baxter Newton, is 
still living and must be upwards of ninety years of age. 

I went from Norwich Aug. 31, to Woodstock and 
stopped at Stephen Townsend's until Sept. 2nd when I 
went to Bridgewater and visited my brother-in-laws, M. 
C. Cowdry and J. Y. Briggs, and cousin, John Townsend 
and family. 



85 

Sept. 5, I went to Pomfret and visited Mrs. L. B. 
Burnham, a stepdaughter, and her daughter, Mrs. Eda 
Bushway and family. 

Sept. 7, I returned to Woodstock to finish my visit 
with cousin Stephen Townsend and to visit cousin Levi 
Carlton and family. 

Sept. lo Stephen took me with his team to Felchville 
and on the way we stopped with cousin Carlos Hawkins 
for dinner, arriving at Felchville at 2 P. M. 

On Sept. 15th, brother Marquis and wife arrived, 
which brought together at the old home all there is left 
of our large family, only three of us, namely, Eliza, 
Marquis and myself. We remained here together until 
Sept. 19, when Marquis and wife and myself left for 
Springfield, Vt. ; Marquis and wife only stopped there 
for dinner and then went to Worcester, Mass. 

I remained here until Sept. 21, when I went to 
Worcester and arrived there at 5 P. M. While here on 
Sept. 30, U. S. Senator Hoar died and was buried on 
Oct. 3. That evening after the funeral I left Worcester 
and next morning I was at Buffalo, N. Y. , where I had 
to remain one and one-half hours when we took train on 
Michigan Central R. R. for Niagara Falls where they 
stopped five minutes to give the passengers a fine view 
of the Falls from the Canada side which was grand. 

I arrived at Dowagiac, Mich., at 7:10 P. M. Oct. 4th, 
to visit Kate Wing and daughter and grandson, also Dr. 
McMaster and family. Mrs. McMaster and her sister, 
Mrs. Kate Wing, are nieces of mine. 



86 

Oct. 8 at 9 A. M. , I left Dowagiac for Chicago, where 
I arrived at noon, and at son George's at 2:45 at River 
Forrest. I remained there until Oct. 18 and while there 
visited other friends in the city. 

On Oct. 18 at 10 A. M., I left Chicago and arrived 
at Ottawa, 111., at 12, noon. I remained here eight 
days with the following families, all cousins, James A. 
Townsend is brother-in-law as well as cousin; Charles 
Townsend, George W. Townsend, Henry Townsend 
and Thomas Bragg. They are all farmers and nicely 
•ituated. 

Oct. 26, I left Ottawa for Wilton Junction, Iowa, 
where cousin Lewis S. Townsend was at the train and 
took me out to his home eight miles in the country 
north-west from town. In going we passed over quite 
rolling prairie all improved with good farm houses. We 
had a royal good visit, not having seen each other for 
many years. He and his wife, and son Henry, wife and 
two children all live together. Henry had a phonograph 
which made us lots of fine music which I enjoyed very 
much. 

On Nov. rst, I left Wilton for Washington, Iowa, 
stopped on the way at Muscatine, and while there I 
called on Warrell Eells, a son of one of our former 
pastors. 

I arrived at Washington at 6 P. M. and stayed with 
Wm. Beamer over night. The next A. M., Nov. 2, I 
was examined for an increase of pension. At a later 
date I received notice that it was rejected. In the P. M. 
I came over to Brighton, and came up home at 9:30 P. M. 
after being absent three months and one week. On this 
journey I had traveled about 3,000 miles and my trav- 
eling expenses were $80. 



87 

Since arriving at home last November, not being able 
to work, on account of the infirmities of old age, such as 
rheumatism, etc. I have spent most of the time writing 
and reading. My correspondence is very large. During 
1903 I wrote 392 letters, and in 1904, I wrote 306. I 
write to friends in fourteen states. 

The months of January and February 1905 have been 
very cold for Iowa. There were eighteen days that the 
mercury was from zero down to thirty-one below. I do 
not remember seeing but two or three winters since I 
came to Iowa 49 years ago, as severe as the past winter. 

We have had about eighteen inches of snow and a few 
days of what we call a blizzard which drifted the snow 
very bad, which blocked the railroad trains for several 
days. 



88 

March 8th being the 6oth marriage anniversary of 
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Robinson I wrote the following lines 
and dedicated them to the aged couple. They have been 
my near neighbors since 1869. 

Three score years have past 
Since you the marriage vow did take, 
Through summer heat, and winter blast. 
You have traveled towards the Golden Gate. 

Changes great have taken place, 

While you have walked together 

Down life's journey's race, 

With love and affection, that none can sever. 

Time has changed your locks from black to gray. 
Your once elastic step, now is slow. 
With care and labor from day to day 
As down life's river you go. 

God has blessed you in the main. 
By giving you lands and cattle on a thousand hills, 
Sons and daughters who are an honor to your name. 
Grand and great grandchildren to fill the bill. 

As you approach your four score years. 
May your hearts be filled with grace, 
With triumphant hope, and no tears, 
But ever with a smiling face. 

May the remainder of your life in all 

Be bright and serene, 

Free from care and toil, 

Until you pass to Heavenly scenes. 



89 

Following is an article I wrote and it was published in 
the Vermont Standard, at Woodstock, Vt., and in The 
Clarion at Richland, Iowa. 

THE ORIGIN OF STEAM NAVIGATION. 

In attempting to trace back one of the greatest enter- 
prises of modern times it is not enough to claim for its 
originator that he tried experiments relative to steam 
navigation; but in order to justly give any man the credit 
of first putting in motion the forces causing or bringing 
about those great results, it must be shown that his exper- 
iments contained the essential elements of that grand cul- 
mination, the origin of which we seek to establish. 

John Fitch claimed to have made numerous discov- 
eries in regard to steam navigation, but he never accom- 
plished anything practical. 

When Fitch died he left some sealed papers which he 
wished to remain sealed for thirty years. At the end of 
that time they were opened and found to contain Fitch's 
statement that he invented the first steamboat. If he had 
it would have been known at that time. 

If we should ask the school children and teachers of 
the present day, ' ' Who invented the first steamboat ?' ' 
they probably would say, " Robert Fulton." This is a 
great mistake in History. We will admit that he built 
the first steamboat on the Hudson River. 

The honor belongs to Capt. Samuel Morey of Fairlee, 
Vt. , who was the first man to apply steam power to nav- 
igation. Capt. Morey first built a stern wheel boat, which 
he ran on the Connecticut river and on Fairlee pond. 

After this he took a model of the boat to New York 
and while there Fulton and Livingston saw it. 

Soon after Morey returned home Fulton went to Fair- 
lee, and Morey showed him all of his plans. Before Ful- 
ton left he entered into a contract with Morey that he 



90 

would give him $ 100,000 if he would build him a small 
boat with wheels on the side. After completing the job 
Morey took it to Fulton at New York and was greatly- 
surprised to find that Fulton and Livingston had a boat 
well under way after the plan of what Morey had shown 
him. They repudiated the contract, and Morey never 
tried to collect the money, but went home almost broken- 
hearted. On arriving there he told a nephew of his that 
' ' The cusses have stolen my invention. 

Morey was a very modest and quiet man, but a great 
inventor on other lines for that early day. He died in 
Fairlee, Vt., in 1842. We claim that he invented the 
mode of applying steam power to boat navigation. Much 
more could be said on this subject, but we leave it for 
the reader to make his own conclusions; but give honor 
to whom it belongs. 



In 1877 when on a visit to my old home in Felchville, 
Vt., I wrote the following lines in Minnie C. Fay's album 
as she wished some of my composition: 

In the garden of the West, 
Twenty- three years I there have toiled, 
Now with you I take a rest, 
Freed from the care of prairie soil. 

In Vermont a while I roam. 
From house to house my friends to see, 
With headquarters at youf home, 
Well shaded by the maple trees. 

The babbling brook goes gurgling on, 
And never stops for you nor me. 
So sands of time, with setting sun, 
Will waft us to the heavenly sea. 



9^ 



CHAPTER X. 

Extracts from my diary that I kept while in the 
army in 1864 and 1865. This and several articles that 
follow should of been inserted before now but were over- 
looked. They are of but little account on the whole. 

TO COMRADE C. A. ROSA, Apr. 1865. 

When we met four months ago, 
This war was raging fast, 
But now with peace you can go 
To meet your love at last. 

As you now are free from war, 
Oh ! hasten to her side, 
And fulfill the promised vow, 
And take her for your bride. 

May this world be fair and bright, 
For you and that dear one. 
Whose sad heart did swell at night 
When she said, "will he come?' 

Brother soldier now we part, 
With fellowship and love. 
Let us with the pure in heart, 
Meet in that world above. 



)" 



\ 

92 

Written at Chattanooga, Tenn., in Hospital No. 
2, Jan 1865. 

I am a soldier far from home, 
In the tent with sick do lay. 
And my thoughts do often roam 
To a bright and happy day. 

In this Hospital I feel, 
Though at times we cold do get, 
That kind care we all receive, 
Which is all we can expect. 

Kind physicians we have here 
That examine us each day. 
Pills will never do I fear, 
While in the cold we have to stay. 

Uncle Sam good food provides. 
For the sick he daily makes, 
But some mean and greedy hides 
Slip it slyly down their necks. 

To God I lift my prayer 
That this cruel war may end, 
So we may rich at home can fare 
With our wives our days to spend. 

Lines to my family, Hospital No. 2, Nashville, 
Tenn., Jan. 28, 1865. 

In my home I see you all 
Reading from God's Holy Book, 
To obey your Saviour's call, 
With a bright and happy look. 



93 

Then you bow in prayer so sweet, 
Little ones can join in thought, 
And very quiet they should keep, 
As in childhood you've been taught. 

My dear wife I pray for you, 
Though many miles we are apart, 
That Our Saviour may renew 
The love for Him, in our hearts. 

Now dear George my oldest boy, 
Do not forget that you should try. 
In youthful days full of joy. 
To fit your heart for the sky. 

Oh, to Jesus give your heart. 
That your life may joyous be, 
And from truth ne'er depart. 
With pure mirth and childish glee. 

Frank, my darling little son, 
Tis from you I hope to hear. 
That your work is all well done. 
To obey your Mother dear. 

Now while you are very young 
Many verses you should learn, 
That your life be well begun 
And to Jesus you will turn. 

Next comes Hattie darling one. 
Who makes cakes and apple pies 
And bakes them 'til they are done 
And then hides them from the flies. 

Your eyes are bright when you say 
To papa I wish to send, 
Pies and cakes so sweet today, 
As he no money has to spend. 



94 

With broom in hand you sweep, 
To keep the room sHck and clean, 
So at night you quiet sleep 
When on mamma you do lean. 

Last comes Kittie, plump as ever, 
By the clock she loves to stay. 
But at night she should never 
In the house be allowed to stay. 

As the thoughts of home do rise 
In my heart from time to time, 
I ought to close my eyes 
Instead of making rhymes. 

One and all do happy be, 
In your quiet little home, 
As you often think of me 
While a soldier as I roam. 

Nashville, Tenn., Hospital No. 2, Feb. 1865 

With heavy heart I left my home. 
And in the army I have come. 
My duty to perform alone, 
While I hear the fife and drum. 

Since I bade my wife adieu 
And three small children bade good bye, 
I many hardships have been through, 
But my support comes from on high. 

With poor health I've traveled on, 
But growing weak from day to day, 
I've marched on through mud and storm 
Then in a car I sick did lay. 



95 

From near Decatur I was sent 
With many more, with feeble health, 
Back to the hospital with tents 
In Chattanooga poor as death. 

Three weary weeks we there did stay, 
Dosed with pills and powders too, 
But no fire we had night or day 
Rations half they said must do. 

And now at Nashville we have come. 
Where in good quarters we can stay, 
With a good stove which is not dumb 
When filled with wood at break of day. 

Plenty of food we here do find, 
And in good shape it comes for us, 
And at the very stated time 
We all march in without a rush. 

Such clockwork I like to see 
Which is managed by the one in charge, 
And carried out by those set free, 
From this fearful war at large. 

Kind Doctor J. from day to day 
Watches the progress we do make. 
And oft I hope and often pray 
We soon at home can comfort take. 



96 

Lines from Memoranda pages in the back part 
of my army diary book. 

I was drafted into the army Oct. 24, 1864. Was 
examined and excepted Nov, ist, at BurHngton, Iowa. 
I procured leave of absence to go home and remain 
until Nov. 8th, when I left home and family trusting in 
God that he would bring me safely home at the close of 
the year that I was to serve in the army. It was a rainy 
day when I left, but the sun shone beyond the clouds. 

Nov. 15th. The few days that have passed since I 
left home have passed with the reflection of home and 
the quiet hour of prayer with my family. I have been 
surrounded with bustle and commotion of a camp life 
filled with all kinds of vice which the human heart is 
filled with, still I have enjoyed the presence of my 
Saviour, and feel that he is my support and strength at 
all times, and that he never will leave nor forsake me if 
I but trust in His Word. I find many among the mixed 
multitude that I can join with in prayer and worship and 
religous conversation, which is a help to each other. 

Mar. 23, 1865. Joy and gladness fills the christian's 
heart as he travels on in this world if he only lives near 
to God, and this is the only way to be a true christian. 
It does me good to hear some of my comrades tell what 
our Saviour has done for them. Last Sabbath evening 
three of us in our hospital tent agreed to commence 
having prayers every evening before going to bed and 
to take turns reading a chapter from the Bible and 
ofifering up a prayer, which is a great privilege and I 
trust will be a blessing to us all, and I pray that it may 
be a benefit to the ungodly. 

I trust that the separation from my family will be a 
spiritual blessing to us all. 



97 

In Camp near Louisville, Ky. , July 1865. 

THE AGE OF SIN. 

It is astonishing how vile the human heart can 
get, and I see it more and more, it makes me tremble to 
hear the name of God taken in vain as much as I do. 
It seems as though a large share of our regiment try to 
see who could talk the worst, they cannot utter a 
sentence without an oath, and many are addicted to gam- 
bling with cards for money or liquor, which is very 
demoralizing. 



98 

CHAPTER XI. 

EVILS OF LICENSE. 

The following letter I wrote Feb. i6, 1903, and was pub- 
lished in Vermont Standard at Woodstock, Vt. , Feb. 26. 

Dear Standard: 

I learn that on the 3rd of March there is to be a 
great batde fought at the polls in Vermont between the 
demon strong drink on the one hand and its opponent 
on the other. I am a native of Windsor county and on 
my twenty-first birthday March 5, 1850, I went to the 
polls in Norwich and cast my first ballot, printed on it, 
" No License," and I have always thrown my influence 
that way ever since. 

Though being absent for more than fifty years, it 
grieves me to think that the fair state of Vermont that I 
have always been proud of was going to take a backward 
step by establishing the saloon, to cause untold suffering 
and poverty and fill your houses with paupers, which it 
is bound to do, making taxes very much higher. Here 
is an illustration that came under my own eye in Norwich 
in 1848 and 1849, (before you had the prohibitory law). 
At that time there were about thirty-two paupers at the 
town farm, and strong drink was the cause that sent them 
all there except three or four. Woe be to him who will 
vote to give the devil (the saloon keeper) license to sell 
liquid fire to a man that will make him sick, tired, lame 
and lazy, cross and crazy, and destroy both soul and 
body. Such voters are as guilty as the saloon keeper. 
It is all bosh for a man to say that there will be less liquor 
drank with the saloon than has been with the prohibitory 
law. Common sense teaches a man better and I do not 
believe that men who say it believe a word of it themselves. 



99 

What a disgrace it would be to your beautiful village 
to have saloons and liquor bars in your hotels to drive 
the better class of summer boarders to other places. 

If the prohibitory law is not enforced, make such laws 
that will compel the ofificers of the law to enforce it or go 
to jail. Several years ago before our mulct law, a mayor 
in one of our large river towns after taking his oath of 
office said he was opposed to the prohibitory law but he 
had taken his oath to enforce the laws of Iowa and ' ' by 
the Eternals I am going to do it," and he closed every 
saloon and kept them closed for two years, the term of 
his ofifice. This shows that men in ofifice can enforce the 
law if they have a mind to. 

Think, kind reader, of the untold suffering of innocent 
women and children on account of the saloon, and go to 
the polls and protect them by voting " No License." 

April, 1905. 

CHANGES TIME HAS WROUGHT. 

As I look back over the short space of time that I 
have lived I can see great changes in most everything. 

I can remember seeing my father load his large box 
sleigh with produce such as butter, dressed pork, tallow, 
beans, wheat, etc. enough for a two-horse load, then he 
would start for Boston, a distance of about 125 miles, 
generally in company with some of his neighbors, and 
before reaching Boston there would be a large caravan of 
them. They would exchange their loads for family sup- 
plies. It was a great day for the prosperity of the hotel 
keepers on the road. 



lOO 

Today all such business is done on a different, and 
larger scale by the Railroads and merchants. The rail- 
roads form a perfect network all over the country from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the large Lakes to 
the Gulf of Mexico. 

I can remember when it was called way out west to 
Buffalo, N. Y. , and it took emigrants from two to three 
weeks to make the journey there from my home in Ver- 
mont, with their teams. In those early days while we 
lived in Norwich we were on the stage route from Boston 
via Montpelier to Montreal. They used six horses on 
their coaches, passing each way every day except Sun- 
day. It took several days to make the journey; now by 
rail it is made in about twelve hours, in great comfort, 
like being at home in your parlor. 

It is wonderful to think of the Telephone invention 
you can sit in your chair at home and talk with people 
all over the country, and when acquainted they can 
distinguish each other's voices; it is marvelous to think 
of. I have seen wonderful inventions in labor saving 
machinery of many kinds. Just compare one thing on 
the farm, of cutting grain with the old hand sickle, 
(which I have used many a day,) and the grain harvester 
and binder of today. 

Compare the first Locomotive with moguls of today. 
Without naming other great inventions, we will call the 
last one hundred years the age of progression. Look at 
scores of beautiful cities scattered over the west and the 
south where forty or fifty years ago there was nothing 
but Indians and Jack Rabbits, or sage brush. Then 
millions of acres of prairie land were like the desert, 
which today are covered with golden grain. 



lOI 

The great central west is the garden of the world, 
nothing to compare like it anywhere on the face of 
the globe. 

In our government domain we have all climates from 
perpetual winter to perpetual summer, and we have the 
the best government to live under that there is in the 
world. 



I02 



TO THE READER. 

Those of you who have taken the time to peruse 
the foregoing pages I hope have not done it with a critic's 
eye, but will pass my imperfections by. Have charity 
for I am past seventy-six years of age, and not capable 
to perform what I have undertaken to do in this work. 

I have made no display, but have written in very 
brief and plain language. 

Please receive it from plain simple me\ not from an 
educated author. 

I hope my Townsend relatives will prize the Genealogy 
of the Townsends. If they do I will feel well paid for 
my labor. 

Let us spend the remainder of our days doing all the 
good we can. 

F. T. TOWNSEND. 
May 3, 1905. 



ERRATA. 

Page 3, 4th line from bottom "puts it" should read, puts at. 

Page 13, line 17, "July 29" should read July 20. 

Page 18, line 16, "Drixier" should be Drihier. 

Page 19, line 22, "Olita" should be Oleta. 

Page 20, line 2 "Olita" should read Oleta. 

Page 22, lines 17 and 20, " Vira," should read Vera. 

Page 36, line 16, "Rus Araldus" should be Reece Araldus. 

Page 6, the date of Thomas Townsend's marriage, omitted, 
was November 19, 1762. 

Page 45, line 15 and page 46, Hne 3, "Tagewell Co." 
should read Tazewell Co. 

Page 48, line 18, "parties," should be Porters. 

Page 49, line 7, "rooted," should read rotted. 



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